Meaning and Moxie After 50

In this conversation, Leslie sits down with Kathleen Quinn to talk about what happens after success—when the goals are met, the career box is checked, and the money question is no longer the question. Together, they name the quiet, confusing space many accomplished people find themselves in: not dissatisfied, not struggling, but no longer motivated by the things that once drove them. Kathleen brin...

This conversation follows Fabian Fernandez not just across oceans, but through a deeply personal act of trust. When we first spoke in February, he was setting out on the final leg of his solo sail across the Pacific—without fanfare, without certainty, and with more than a few people questioning his choice. What carried him forward wasn’t ego or adrenaline, but a quiet resolve to listen to a call h...

This conversation explores how Diane Allen teaches people to access a genuine state of flow by working directly with the nervous system rather than forcing creativity or performance. Her approach uses sound, movement, and deep listening to help people shift out of stress-based patterns and into states of regulation where focus, intuition, and presence naturally emerge. Instead of chasing peak expe...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie sits down with internationally recognized horse trainer and competitor Tik Maynard for a conversation that goes far beyond horses. Tik shares how working with animals—who respond only to presence, patience, and clarity—reveals the hidden ways humans sabotage learning through fear, impatience, and the need to control outcomes. Horses don’t care...

This interview with Christina Woods goes straight at one of the most dangerous ideas women over 50 are taught to accept: that wanting more means you’re ungrateful or unrealistic. Christina doesn’t talk about “starting over” or chasing some glossy reinvention. Instead, she names the quiet erosion that happens when we stop questioning the rules we inherited about aging, success, and staying safe. To...

Today, we are talking to a man who proves that the second half of life is where the real challenges begin. Our guest, Dr. Vincent Pearson, has worn many hats: he’s a practicing pharmacist, a licensed pilot, and a master-level tournament chess player. But what he's done after turning fifty will truly blow you away. After receiving a wake-up call about his family's health history, Vincent...

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Wendy Walsh breaks down the science of love in a way that finally makes sense for women over 50. She explains why dating has changed, why expectations must shift with age, and why understanding your attachment style is the most important relationship skill you can have. From the paradox of choice on dating apps to the emotional traps of early texting, Dr. Wendy g...

In this powerful conversation, Cyrus Mejia—one of the original founders of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary—shares the extraordinary origin story behind what has become the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country. From settling in a remote red-rock canyon with only $5,000 and a vision, to challenging a century-old system that routinely killed millions of shelter animals each year, Cyrus and h...

Mary Davison is a true inspiration who found a profound sense of meaning and moxie after turning 50. Her remarkable journey into long-distance hiking began at age 60 with the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier, which quickly ignited a passion few can match. Her incredible dedication led her to become a certified Triple Crowner , meaning she successfully completed the three most challenging and...

Loneliness after 50 is one of those topics few people talk about, yet almost everyone feels. In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie Maloney gets real about what it means to feel disconnected in midlife — when the kids are grown, work routines fade, and social circles shift. She explores why loneliness hits so many women at this stage, the emotional and physical toll it can take, an...

In this thought-provoking episode, Leslie sits down with Gabriella Timmis , Director of Communications for Braver Angels , a national grassroots movement dedicated to depolarizing America one conversation at a time. Born out of the deep divisions following the 2016 election, Braver Angels brings together people from opposite sides of the political spectrum—reds and blues—to listen, learn, and redi...

In this inspiring episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie sits down with lifelong athlete Janet Mitchell , a standout player and coach for the Maryland Roadrunners, a senior women’s softball team that competes across the country. Drawing parallels to A League of Their Own , Janet shares how her mother’s trailblazing attitude toward women in sports shaped her own path. From backyard Wiffle b...

In this heartfelt episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie Maloney sits down with author, entrepreneur, and grief coach Laing Rikkers for a soulful conversation about the many forms of grief — and the surprising gifts it can bring. Together, they explore how loss doesn’t just come from death, but also from transitions, aging, or letting go of past identities. With warmth and deep compassion,...

In this inspiring episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie sits down with entrepreneur, author, and business coach David Greer , whose story of reinvention goes far beyond professional success. After building a thriving career in the software industry, David found himself at a crossroads — one that led him to confront his relationship with alcohol and ultimately choose sobriety. That decisio...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie sits down with Jeanette Leardi , social gerontologist and author of Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older . Jeanette invites us to challenge the old stereotypes about aging and look at it from a fresh, empowering angle. With humor, insight, and decades of experience, she shows us how aging isn’t a straight road downhill—it...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie sits down with Marie Crews , the creator of The Nautilus Way , a journaling practice designed to help you “write your way free.” What began as a love of words and inspiration from The Artist’s Way grew into a daily practice that became Marie’s anchor through some of life’s deepest storms. She shares how journaling gave her clarity, connection,...

In this episode, Leslie sits down with Sondee Lima — senior business coach with WeVenture and the founder of Your Money Gal . Sondee has made it her mission to help women dream big, launch bold ventures, and actually get paid for doing what they love. With a mix of sharp business insight and contagious encouragement, she shares how midlife and beyond is the perfect time to pivot, whether you’re re...

The national parks are some of our country’s greatest treasures—places where mountains meet the sky, rivers carve deep canyons, and ancient forests remind us of nature’s resilience. In this solo episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , I’m celebrating the wonder of these sacred spaces and what they can teach us about slowing down, savoring the moment, and reconnecting with ourselves. Along the way,...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 , Leslie is joined by Dyna Vink, an integrative health practitioner who helps people go beyond treating surface-level symptoms to uncover the true root causes of imbalance in the body. Dyna shares how functional medicine differs from conventional approaches, emphasizing the importance of looking at the whole person—their lifestyle, stress, sleep, nutri...

In this episode of "Meeting of Moxie After 50," host Leslie Maloney interviews Karen Fabian, a former corporate professional who found her life's purpose as a yoga teacher. Karen shares her personal story, beginning with an emotional experience in her first yoga class that sparked her interest in the practice. She discusses how she made a pragmatic transition from her six-figure job...

What happens when you hit midlife and realize the old map no longer fits the new terrain? In this episode, I sit down with horseman and author Tik Maynard, whose latest book Starting in the Middle blends grit, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. Through his journey with horses—and one unforgettable colt—Tik discovered that the so-called “middle” isn’t a slump, it’s a turning point. We dive into the mes...

 In this episode, coach Karen Bartholomew shares her Pause Method —a simple but powerful way to step out of exhaustion, reset your direction, and reclaim joy. Listen if: You’re tired of living life on repeat, checking all the boxes for everyone else but feeling like something’s missing for YOU. Key takeaways: Learn the Pause Method —how one intentional pause can shift your energy and decisions. Sp...

 In this episode, guest Colby Wilk explores the crucial distinction between empathy and compassion, highlighting how being a highly sensitive person can lead to an unhealthy state of people-pleasing and emotional burnout. Colby guides listeners on a journey to reclaim their personal power by learning to set boundaries and find a "still point" within themselves. By shifting from a reactiv...

In this inspiring episode, Christina L. Woods shares her journey from corporate executive to transformational healer and coach, opening up about how she moved from burnout to alignment by finally giving herself permission to live authentically. She talks about the importance of “rewiring” rather than retiring, and how midlife and beyond can be a powerful time of reinvention rather than a winding d...

Loneliness isn't just about being a party of one; it's that sneaky feeling of disconnection, even when you're surrounded by folks. Think of it like being at a huge concert but somehow missing the beat with everyone else! While this feeling can pop up at any age, it often makes a grand entrance during midlife and beyond, thanks to life's big changes like retirement (hello, endle...