Late Bloomer Living Podcast

Five years. Over 200 conversations. One big realization: It’s never too late.   After five years of hosting the Late Bloomer Living Podcast, I’ve had a front-row seat to hundreds of stories of reinvention, resilience, and playful transformation—and let me tell you, I’ve learned a lot. In this special solo episode, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways about aging, ageism, play, and the messy, beautiful...

What if the mirror reflected not just your image, but your next chapter? When artist and mom Hardie Cobbs was diagnosed with breast cancer, everything paused—except her clarity.   What followed was a powerful reinvention that blended personal style with intentional living. In this episode, Hardie shares how she found her way from survival to service, helping other women rediscover themselves throu...

A Midlife Story of Healing and Hope After a painful childhood and years of self-protection, Rachel Linnett found herself at a breaking point in midlife. What followed was a powerful journey of healing, self-discovery, and learning to live from love instead of fear.  In this conversation, Rachel shares her personal story with honesty, warmth, and wisdom—and offers inspiration for anyone ready to co...

Author and educator Irene Buchine didn’t learn to read until she was 34—and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and publish a powerful children’s book about emotional struggle. In this heartfelt conversation, Irene shares her journey through undiagnosed dyslexia, childhood trauma, and the long road to healing. We talk about the courage it takes to face the dark places in ourselves, the...

Honoring Her Mother’s Dream When actor and audiobook narrator Hollis McCarthy helped her mom, Dee Maltby, publish a fantasy novel that had been sitting in a drawer for over 30 years, she never imagined it would lead to an eight-book series—or a deeply meaningful creative journey. In this special Mother's Day episode, Hollis shares how she became her mother’s editor, co-writer, and narrator, helpin...

Ever feel like you're carrying the weight of the world alone?   In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, award-winning podcaster Dominic Lawson joins me to talk about breaking the stigma, navigating midlife transitions, and why sharing our struggles is key to healing. If you’re feeling stuck, stressed, or isolated, this episode is a reminder—you don’t have to do it alone.   🌻 If you’re feeling...

In this episode, Wendy Battles, host of Reinvention Rebels, shares her journey of reinvention and offers practical advice for anyone feeling stuck. Wendy talks about how to embrace change at any age, trust yourself, and take small steps toward something new. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or a nudge to move forward, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to reinvent your...

How to Keep Love Alive—Or Find It Again—After 50   Is it really possible to find—or rekindle—love after 50? Life coach and relationship expert Laurie Gerber says yes, without compromising who you are or what you want. In this episode, we talk about how to stop repeating old patterns, how to use Laurie’s “Three H’s” (Head, Heart, and Hoo-Ha) to evaluate love interests, and how to keep connection al...

Are you running on empty and calling it productivity? In this episode, my good friend Lou Blaser joins me for a heart-to-heart about shifting from hustle mode to a more intentional rhythm of work and rest. Lou is a woman who stays busy—she writes the weekly newsletter We’re All Getting Older and hosts the Second Breaks podcast, where she explores midlife transitions and reinvention. Lou shares how...

Embracing Change and Aging Boldly After facing profound loss, including the death of her husband, Debbie McCulloch found herself asking, "Who am I now?"—a question that led her to embrace new beginnings and launch her podcast, Older & Bolder. In this episode, Debbie shares her journey of resilience, reinvention, and the belief that aging is a privilege to be embraced. If you’ve ever felt stuck...

Can your words and thoughts shape your reality?   In this episode, Rachel Strabley, a certified consulting hypnotist, shares how small mindset shifts can create big changes. We explore how fear and excitement feel the same in the body, why the way you talk to yourself matters, and how hypnosis can help rewire limiting beliefs no matter your age. Plus, Rachel shares a simple self-hypnosis technique...

Why Midlife Transitions Feel So Uncomfortable (And What to Do About It) Are you feeling stuck or lost in the messy, in-between stage of midlife?  Whether you’re an empty nester, going through a career change, or just searching for a new sense of purpose, this episode is for you. I’m talking with Rebecca Sutherns, an author and Midlife Transition Coach who specializes in helping midlife women navig...

Too Scared to Dance—Now She’s Inspiring Thousands! What if the key to transforming your life was simply finding something that makes you feel joyful? Something that feels more like play than exercise? In this episode, I’m talking with Shanon Hunt, the creator of Midlife Shuffle on YouTube and Instagram, who went from being too terrified to dance in public—even at her own wedding—to becoming a shuf...

The Power of Being You   Ever wondered how to truly embrace who you are after 50?  In this episode of Late Bloomer Living, I chat with Donna Cravotta, the creative mind behind Cravotta Media Group and the Real 50 Over 50 community.  Donna shares how reclaiming your true identity and embracing who you are after 50 can transform your life. It’s a conversation filled with practical insights that will...

Ever feel like life’s nonstop demands leave you drained? Is the relentless news cycle and endless scrolling leaving you overwhelmed and stressed? Have you ever thought about taking a break to play? In this episode, Yvonne shows you that play isn’t just for kids—it’s a powerful tool for cutting through stress, sparking creativity, and helping you handle life’s pressures with more ease. By embracing...

Curiosity, Courage, and Change   Ever felt like it's too late to follow your dreams? In this episode, David Heuvelman proves that reinvention has no expiration date. David took a bold leap by heading to law school in his 60s after a career in theater and event production. He shares how he overcame imposter syndrome, how his age was actually a benefit in law school, and how his unique background po...

Your Next Adventure is Waiting At 87, writer and comedian Carolyn Meyer is living proof that it’s never too late to shake things up. After losing her third husband, she took an improv class on a whim—and ended up launching a whole new career in stand-up, storytelling, and podcasting. From hilarious online dating misadventures to creating her raunchy alter ego, Lusty Bangor, Carolyn shares how step...

What does it take to truly live as your authentic self?   In this episode, I sit down with Wendy Cole, host of Demystifying the Transgender Journey, to talk about her extraordinary path to self-acceptance.   Wendy knew from a young age that she was a girl, but societal expectations forced her to hide her true identity for decades. It wasn’t until she was 67 that she finally embraced who she had al...

Trading Fast-Paced for Fulfillment   In this episode, Yvonne sits down with Jean Shields Fleming, a writer who reinvented her life in her late 50s by trading a fast-paced corporate career in the U.S. for a more peaceful life in a small Greek village. Jean shares how this bold move inspired her to launch Certain Age Magazine, a platform that celebrates the voices and creativity of midlife women. Tu...

What No One Told You About Hormones and Menopause Think menopause is just hot flashes? Think again. Kate Wells joins Yvonne to reveal the surprising truths about hormones and how they shape your health and happiness. Hormones impact everything—sleep, mood, intimacy—and yet most of us are left in the dark. This episode is here to change that. Why Listen? Whether you're a woman going through it or s...

11 Minutes to Fitness: A Midlife Guide to Getting Started   In this episode, Yvonne chats with Cat Corchado, seasoned fitness expert and movement specialist with over 40 years of experience, about how fitness can be accessible and empowering for everyone—no matter your age or starting point.   Cat is back on the podcast for the third time to talk about her upcoming 11 Minute Fitness Challenge whic...

Kickstart Your Health Goals with Allan Misner January is all about setting goals that stick, and today’s guest is here to help you do just that! Allan Misner, a fitness expert and host of the 40+ Fitness Podcast, returns to Late Bloomer Living to talk about staying fit as we age, navigating tough times like the pandemic, and practical tips to overcome those moments when motivation wanes. Allan’s i...

The Science of Habits: How Tiny Actions Lead to Big Results In this episode, Yvonne sits down with certified habit coach, Ronnie Lo, to explore the transformative power of small, consistent actions. Ronnie shares her four-step method for building habits, emphasizing the importance of tactile engagement, celebrating small wins, and shifting your mindset to overcome resistance. Together, they discus...

What’s stopping you from trying something new? If fear, doubt, or feeling “too old” is holding you back, this episode is for you. In this replay of episode 13, Yvonne shares her personal journey of starting the podcast, battling imposter syndrome and learning new skills. Additionally, she emphasizes the value of finding community and support through teachers and coaches. Practical strategies for o...

What if one word could guide you through the year, like a little compass pointing you toward what matters most? In this short episode, Yvonne shares how choosing a word of the year has helped her stay focused and intentional, even on the tough days. She talks about words she’s chosen in past years—like help, play, and community—and how each one shaped her mindset and choices. You’ll also get pract...