Be Joyful

This podcast interview discusses Cathleen's career transition from technology to historical writing and her recent 6,000-mile camping trip across nine western states. Cathleen shared her background in documenting historic mining towns and architectural history in Colorado, her career shift after discovering her passion for Colorado history, and her current lifestyle as an independent woman. T...

Summary The discussion focused on the unique challenges women face in retirement, particularly those who spent 40 years in the workforce. Karen and Erica shared how they launched Luster to address the gap in visibility and community for this demographic, explaining how they evolved from a blog to a comprehensive platform with monthly member calls, weekly news programs, and various online events. T...

Avrielle Simoneau is a passionate and dedicated certified practitioner at Sundrop Wellness, a holistic massage clinic. When she was younger, she said she “played it small” and didn’t go after the things she wanted. She let life happen to her, but now it’s all about making life the way she wants.  She likes the saying, “swallow the frog,” which means to do the thing that’s the hardest first and wil...

Andrea's Childhood and Academic Journey Andrea shared her idyllic childhood growing up with her twin brother in a neighborhood with many children, where she experienced love and freedom. She discussed her connection with her twin who she felt a deep emotional bond with but no longer shares that connection due to living in different states. Andrea studied mathematics at the University of South...

Global Experiences for Real Estate Success Darlene Streit, a top real estate broker with over $2.2 billion in career sales, discussed her background growing up in Toronto, Canada, and her extensive international experiences, including studying in Switzerland, Southeast Asia, London, New York, and Rome. She credits her diverse global experiences and education in economics and psychology for helping...

Vanda's Journey to Coaching Vanda shares her background, including growing up in Colorado, becoming a CPA, transitioning from public accounting to consulting, and eventually finding her passion in mentoring and coaching. Vanda shared her experience growing up in a resort community in Colorado, where she spent her childhood skiing and participating in sports. She discussed how this lifestyle s...

Key takeaways Catherine Kondo Arkin successfully transitioned from working in film production to owning Upper Village Blooms flower shop in Croton on Hudson She comes from a multicultural background (Japanese father, Mexican mother) which influences her design aesthetic The flower shop focuses on serving the local community while maintaining a global design perspective Catherine emphasizes creatin...

Overcoming Cultural and Familial Challenges Kateh shared her challenging childhood growing up as one of six sisters and two brothers in a culture that undervalued girls, facing both societal and familial pressure. Despite this, her parents, who were self-taught teachers, supported her education and encouraged her to excel, even when others discouraged them. Kateh's parents managed to provide...

Debby Collings has experienced many ups and downs in her life from broken relationships to cancer to career changes; but, she has always managed to find her joy. Whenever she is feeling troubled or just bored, photography has been her outlet, She calls it shutter therapy, and I can attest to her incredible bird photos. Debbie jokes that she must have been a gypsy is a past life, which might explai...

For her next podcast, Jean decided to interview her husband Duncan Hill, and how they have navigated marriage, travel, communication, God and Africa. Duncan spent 17 years rescuing children in Uganda. It was after he heard from God that this became his mission. So with his own $$ and lots of donations and a lot of faith, that’s what he did. They recently traveled back after a 7 year hiatus to reun...

Channa Beth Butcher wrote her PHD dissertation on UNLEARNING THE COLONIAL NARRATIVE OF THE AFRICAN GIRL THROUGH HER STORIES OF THE LIFE EXPERIENCES OF ONE KENYAN GIRL. Channa Beth achieved this feat at the age of 77. She is an inspiration and a reminder that it’s never too late to achieve the unimaginable. This past spring she founded E3 Kenya which stands for Encourage, Engage, Empower. The non-p...

Ryan has been a personal trainer for over 12 years.  He is a certified functional aging specialist with a bachelors degree in Health & Exercise Science.  Ryan has completed over 14,000 personal training sessions in his career and works with people of all ages & fitness levels with a focus on women over 50. He has transitioned from a local “in-person” personal trainer to an online trainer w...

Christa Ross is a trailblazer in real estate coaching and hosts the podcast "The Uplift" offering simple thoughts for complex times. She is a masterful thinker, writer and marketer. Christa's most significant achievements and recognition have come after 50. Her journey serves as a powerful testament to the idea that life's most remarkable chapters are often still to come.  Note...

Francesca has been creating jewelry for over 30 years and creating ‘stuff’ since she was 16. Previously a clothing designer, she has always collected interesting stones and pearls and has a particular love of turquoise, as those who wear her jewelry will attest. Her work is characterized by a sense of adventure and exploration and inspired by nature, love and people. This comes from her love of im...

Alex Mangini is OBSESSED. She’s a social media consultant who manages a dental practice full-time. She  just turned 60 and looks 40!  Learn how Alex developed a lucrative side biz while working full time in a different field and how she’s maintained her youthful appearance.  Alex is a twin. Her brother always excelled at everything while she believed she felt short.  Majored in communications/jour...

Michelle Kowalski is a NY state certified nutritionist and registered dietitian with over 30 years of experience in the field. Michelle will teach you how to eat just right so you can fit into your favorite jeans again without going on a fad diet. Michelle’s aunt and uncle who lived into their 90s, ate well, walked every day, no medications served as her role models. Saw you had the ability to hea...

Clelia Somers-Theodorides was born in South Africa to Greek parents. She grew up in a large Greek community and enjoyed many cultural traditions. She lives in Luxembourg with her Swiss-British husband Gilles and son Constantine. She is an interior designer (who speaks 6 languages!) with a flare for house restoration. Learn how Clelia developed a nose for business and real estate and leveraged her...

Jan’s foolproof lessons to be a successful entrepreneur and how she learned to succeed in a male-dominated field and continues to live her dream everyday. Early years and her unusual college experiences:  Kid from the NY boroughs, growing up in a concrete jungle Always fascinated w plants  Steered toward botanical illustratration by HS guidance counselor Attended Friends World College, run by Quak...

Greta Hanson Sohmer is a modern day renaissance woman who has reinvented herself many times in her multi-faceted career path from corporate sales and marketing to wedding planner to real estate agent. Learn how to be the best version of YOU and how you can earn additional income for travel. Be prepared to laugh when you listen to Greta’s podcast. What were your early years and early adulthood like...

Bryn Cammy Williams has been an artist for as long as she can remember. She paints to understand the natural world around her, to appreciate and to celebrate wildlife. It gives her joy to express through creativity and she loves to share that joy through her art work.  Topic #1: Early Years Family loved to have fun and has stayed w Cammy as a way to spread joy She was her own rescuer and listened...

Krysty Krywko helps women explore their relationship with alcohol so they can live bigger, bolder more brilliant lives. Krysty launched her company Purple Dog Sober during the pandemic when there was an uptick in alcohol abuse among moms struggling to balance their work, their homes and the education of their children. Krysty’s mission is to help others, to break down the stigma and remove the sha...

Faced with the challenges of being a single mom, Soli Pierce just put one foot in front of the other and had faith that things would work out. She is an interdisciplinary artist working with natural materials and sound to create thought-provoking art. Soli honors herself, respects how she wants to live and doesn’t focus on what others want. Today, she has a standard to be respected, honored and tr...

From growing up in the old south to living in Manhattan, Europe,Japan, Africa and traveling the world, Jill has experienced a lot of life. But nothing compares to her walk with God, her acceptance of Jesus as her saving Grace and how the Holy Spirit touched her on August 5th 1996. She attends an African American church which is a far cry from the Episcopal church of her youth. Jill recounts how he...

In this premier episode, podcast author Jean Cameron Hill shares how she found her happiness in her 50’s through a radical shift in her life. She narrates her journey from her early years as a 10-year-old entrepreneur through her struggles with alcoholism, divorce, and single motherhood. She walks through her successes as a real estate agent and her radical decision to move out west and remarry. T...