Episódios
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Mimi Donaldson, 77, is known for her rousing keynote speeches, compelling workshops, and in-house training programs. She has shared the keynote platform with Colin Powell, Katie Couric and Maya Angelou.
She is now a speaker coach for TED Talkers, keynote speakers and business
Owners. Since 2018, she has coached 24 speakers to the TEDx stage.
I don’t want people to be boring!
Mimi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts from the University of Iowa, and a Masters Degree in Education from Columbia University. For 10 years, she was a staff Human Resources Specialist with Walt Disney Company, Northrop Aircraft, and Rockwell International.
Mimi has been a visiting professor at Harvard University’s Center for Public Leadership
at the Kennedy School of Government. Her latest book is designed to improve the quality of how you present yourself: Pitch Perfect: Speak to Grow Your Business in Seven Simple Steps.
CONNECT WITH MIMI:
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.mimidonaldson.com
Book: Pitch Perfect: Speak to Grow Your Business in Seven Simple Steps
Phone: 310-577-0229
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Alice Rose, age 78, lived in Europe for 10 ½ years where she worked with childhood centers for military families. Alice’s love of travel and culture led her to Turkey twenty-five times, as well as other fascinating destinations. Upon returning to New Jersey, Alice pursued her love of museum art and photography. Now residing in the Chicago area, Alice has blended her passion for books and photography into a self-publishing business. She and her business partner, Bethany, guide authors in making their own decisions about the book’s content and how it will be presented. Their books include memoirs, photography, children’s stories—essentially whatever the author wants to share. Alice’s own learning journey never stops. She is at work on three of her own books and recently has become 99% vegan. Alice relishes learning about a plant-based diet and its benefits and will gladly recommend her coach.
"The threads of my abundant life are books and paper, art and color, travel, history, and learning."
Connect with Alice
www.babookdesign.com
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The third oldest of 17 children, Mildred J. Mills, 73, was raised on a farm in Alabama. At a young age, she began to imagine that she would be going places, even though she had no idea how or where she might go. In high school one of her teachers recognized her talent in mathematics and suggested she think about a technical college for data processing. Her Daddy surprised her by helping make that a reality. Life was full of surprises from that moment forward.
“Sometimes in life we know it’s time to let go, and that, my friends, is a cotton patch moment.” - Mildred J. Mills
What followed was a highly successful career in IT Management, two college degrees - a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in creative writing/nonfiction, and a very fulfilling life, not without its challenges, some major. It was when she left her job, at 60, that she began to think about writing a book. Daddy’s House tells the story of A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots.
Mildred lives in Atlanta GA.
Connect with Mildred:
Email: [email protected]
Website: MildredJMills.com
Book: Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots
Podcast: My Cotton Patch Moment
Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, Women’s Connection.
Our Podcast Collaborators’ monthly recommendation is Jennifer Fink’s Fading Memories
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Judy Marjorie Collins, age 85, remains a legendary spokesperson for the American folk music scene and for older adults who still have a song to sing.
We were delighted to be in conversation with Judy Collins.
Folk singer, song writer, pianist, activist, author, and role-model, Judy continues to tour throughout the United States and many other countries. Judy vows, “I will never stop singing.”
Throughout the decades, Judy’s music has reflected changing political climates and captured glimpses of life at particular moments in time. Her music remains as timely as ever. We look forward to her next album of duets and trios including a song by the late David Crosby.
Judy continues to write about deeply personal experiences. Her latest book is Sometimes It’s Heaven: Poems of Love, Loss & Redemption.
Connect with Judy:
Publicist: [email protected]
Read her books. Available on Amazon
2025: Sometimes It’s Heaven: Poems of Love, Loss & Redemption
2012: Memoir: Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music
2007: The Seven T's: Finding Hope and Healing in the Wake of Tragedy 2006: Sanity & Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival, and Strength
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Gina Orlando, age 72, created and was present at her own Celebration of Life in January 2025. Gina has been living with breast cancer for 11 years, the last three years in stage 4. She calls upon her expertise in holistic healing, voracious curiosity, and profound spiritual beliefs to navigate her journey toward end-of-life and ‘going to the light.’ Gina’s abundant intentions for her Celebration of Life: lifting things up for healing—for self, family, community, the world; giving people permission to think differently about their own death, to talk about it, and to plan for it; sharing gifts of love for self and others; and heightening awareness about healing and living well
with an incurable disease. Gina is reaching hundreds of people with her powerful story of celebrating life.
I draw on the mind, body, spirit paradigm while navigating my life and cancer
journey. - Gina Orlando
Connect with Gina Orlando
Email [email protected]
Website Gina Orlando MA, Wellness Coach Chicago, Oak Park
Direct link to Celebration of Life Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay5RdVEay7w
on the Ascension, Oak Park, YouTube channel.
Wednesday Journal article about Gina and her Celebration of Life service
https://www.oakpark.com/2025/02/05/print-edition-february-5-2025/ pgs.1 and 14 and
part of the editorial, pg. 23
This episode is sponsored by Women’s Connection
https://www.womenconnecting.org
This month’s Podcast Collaborator is Becoming Ellie-Fit Strong Women Over 50
https://www.becomingelli.com
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At 77 years old, Connie Inukai is proving that innovation has no age limit. A former technical writing instructor for engineers, Connie spent years teaching others how to create clear, effective reports. Little did she know that one day, she’d be writing her own—this time, for her own invention.
When she first conceived the idea for Tip ‘n Split, Connie applied the same skills she had taught for decades. She meticulously crafted reports, wrote an instruction manual, and designed brochures—working alongside her students as both teacher and entrepreneur.
Determined to bring her product to market, she initially invested $3,000 in a marketing agency, only to see little progress. Refusing to give up, Connie took matters into her own hands. She retired from teaching and became her own marketer, salesperson, and advocate.
"Don’t be afraid of no. Figure out what to do and turn it into a yes!"
Her persistence paid off. Tip ‘n Split has now been featured on QVC, The Today Show, The View, NBC News, and more. Even Walmart carries her invention.
But Connie isn’t stopping there. With her entrepreneurial spirit still going strong, she’s already working on her next big idea—proving that retirement isn’t the end of the road; it’s just the beginning.
CONNECT WITH CONNIE:
Buy Tip n Split
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Thoughtful and compassionate, Becky Blue is a geriatric and faith community nurse. Her compassion grew at an early age as she spent afternoons with Grandma, coincidentally the name of one of her magical poems. In her book, Turning-The Magic and Mystery of More Days, you will find essays, poetry and questions, some of the poems written almost 50 years ago with so much meaning for today.
"As we age, we connect the dots on our whole life experience."
Becky’s practice is interdisciplinary. Working in churches enabled her to bring in multiple practitioners to serve the churchgoers and to include mind, body and spirit in the conversations. Becky is especially interested in the 5 senses and how one’s life can be enriched through hearing, sight, taste, smell and feel. Most important is to maintain an explorer’s mindset. As one sense loses full capacity, the other senses create an urge to explore. Staying curious brings up a sense of bravery.
CONNECT WITH BECKY:
Book: Turning: The Magic & Mystery of More Days
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Jeanette Leardi is a social gerontologist and aging wellness leader who invites us to “cock your head to the side and ask, Am I think about aging in the right way?” Jeanette’s blog, Ageful Living, inspired her recent book, Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older. She challenges the message of ‘gendered ageism’ that “women are never the right age in our society.” She reframes limiting metaphors such as ‘over the hill’ to viewing women as “master climbers and changers.” Jeanette praises the plasticity of the aging brain for being able to take shortcuts and see different perspectives. She proposes a ninth stage to Erikson’s eight stages of personality development: “transcendence and unity—seeing ourselves as part of all that is.”
Connect with Jeanette
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.jeanetteleardi.com
Book: Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older. (2024)
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At age 70, Karen Marienau’s life is distinguished by a circuitous professional path, world-wide adventure travels, strenuous physical challenges, taxing home improvement projects, and deeply loving relationships—with people, animals, and nature. How does Karen, who gets bored once she has mastered something, and is known to act on impulse, navigate her world? She leaves the Minnesota farm for Mexico, joins the Navy on a medical scholarship, becomes a doctor earning numerous specializations, lives in 7 states, and traverses 7 continents. Karen returns to her Minnesota roots and retires from the military after 20 years of service. She remodels a new home on the northern shores of Lake Superior, continues to travel, and is learning to live in the present.
I am most focused now on my well-being—emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. - Karen Marienau
Connect with Karen
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Barbara Thompson is passionate about working with seniors. She holds a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) certification. When her life turned out differently from what she expected, she learned to rely on friendships to fill a gap. That brought her to the understanding of how important it is to listen to each person involved in the moving process. Moving is a challenging time for families, no matter their ages. Barbara says, “Life works best and moves gracefully when plans are formed and decisions are made. Then when the time comes to implement the changes, everyone knows exactly what to expect. No stress, just love and support.
Barbara is a support system for everyone involved. When needed she brings in resources to handle all aspects of the move, including for financial and legal matters. She has seen the beauty and the sadness of it. When people can open up and work together it elevates the process to one of beauty.
CONNECT WITH BARBARA:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 312-952-2052
Realty Affiliation: The Schenfeld Group LLC Jameson Sotheby International Realty
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Adriane Berg is a lifelong traveler whose mission is to help people “never stop traveling.” Women over the age of 70 are increasingly participating in solo travel, as are individuals embarking on their second or third honeymoon. At the age of 76, Adriane created the podcast Ageless Traveler, a gift for her travel-focused self. She designs the trips she wants to take and, with a supportive team, invites others to join. Adriane advocates ‘voluntourism’—travel with a purpose that involves seeing and doing. She also encourages intergenerational travel—different ages traveling together to the same place, doing the same things. Adriane is a dedicated representative on aging to the United Nations. Her expertise in broadcasting, finance, and elder law informs her unique approach to travel, particularly suited for older women. Listen to her podcast at agelesstraveler.com, apple and spotify and download her free eBook, Luxury Travel for Less.info
Connect with Adriane
Podcast: Home - (agelesstraveler.com)
Website: Ageless Tourism – The Mature Traveler
Complete these forms to receive free e-books:
https://CaregiversTravelGuide.com
https://LuxuryTravelForLess.info
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After 30 years in banking, Emilia DiMenco joined the Women’s Business Development Organization (WBDC) - first as a board member and then as CEO. WBDC serves all entrepreneurs and particularly women and underserved communities. Emilia understands and communicates the importance of managing cash and risks, how best to build capacity and, most importantly, to provide quality products and service while competing fairly on price.
WBDC works with entrepreneurs from start-up to succession, helping them to gain certification and pursue procurement opportunities, access capital and networks, and continue to learn.
Emilia looks ahead to more free time to focus on health and wellness, travel adventure, more time with her son’s family, music lessons and digging deeper into world history.
“Allowing a younger generation to take over allowed me to use my skills to benefit an underserved population.” - Emilia DiMenco
CONNECT WITH EMILIA
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.wbdc.org/en/
WBDC Phone: 312-853-3477
Thank you to Wells Fargo for their Support of Women Over 70:Aging Reimagined
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Carol Offen and Betsy Crais know all too well the exhilaration, separately, of being a living donor and a 2-time organ recipient.
Carol’s adult, college-age son was in need of a kidney. Carol became his donor.
Betsy Crais’s evaluation for gastric problems in her thirties revealed polycystic kidney disease. When she was in her fifties she became the grateful recipient of a kidney donation from a living donor. Many years later, she required a 2nd kidney and, to everyone’s surprise, a liver. Again a living donor stepped up to donate a kidney but because she needed a liver at the same time, she needed a deceased donor. Not receiving them would have committed her to dialysis indefinitely while also risking death from liver failure.
These two expressive women knew each other since their daughters childhoods. They came together again after their own kidney experiences when they decided to collaborate on authoring a book that would lay bare the plight of recipients and the path of becoming a living donor.
"There is a 6-8 yr. wait for a deceased kidney donor and 90,000 people on the waiting list."
CONNECT WITH CAROL & BETSY:
Carol: [email protected]; her website: www.kidneydonorhelp.com
Betsy: [email protected]
Book: The Insider's Guide to Living Kidney Donation: Everything You Need to Know If You Give (or Get) the Greatest Gift
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Barbara Ellison always wanted to have a TV show. Since waking up from her widow’s fog after her husband died when she was in her early 60’s, she has not stood still. She says, “I had no idea who I was, or what I was meant to do. The labels attached to me - mother, daughter, wife, those I understood but who was Barbara?” The Ultimate Game of Life coaching program gave her a lifeline and she has not stopped since. From traveling via RV to co-hosting a radio show and streaming live on Linked In, Barbara is a motivational speaker who opens her heart and shares her wisdom. Today she is the co-host of a TV show, coaches new retirees and knows exactly who she is.
" I love being in my 70’s. Age is just a number. "
Connect with Barbara:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-ellisonwellnessplayroom2024/
Time to Shine Happiness Show: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZdIhuyltJew?si=YMspxN8qrM6lapw4
People4People Community: www.people4peoplenow.com/referral/ZBkCwbmRlZJW?utm_source=referral_program
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Jane Seskin, a licensed clinical social worker, is a prolific poet who, at age 80,
published a collection of 89 poems in the book OLDER WISER SHORTER: The
Truth and Humor of Life After 65. With humor and insight, Jane observes
how she is learning to acknowledge, accommodate, and accept the
vulnerabilities and new-found joys of aging. Early in her career as a therapist
for crime victims, Jane witnessed people’s resilience to survive. As a therapist
and writer, she advocates “talking to each other rather than being alone with
our scary thoughts.” For older women, one area of interest might be
discussions on health fantasies and fears. Jane is at work on a new book
about aging, focused on Taking Inventory: what’s past, dealing with the
present, and planning for the future. She also explores “what brings one
comfort when the sky is falling.”
Connect with Jane:
Instagram: @oldershorterwiser
Website:
https://www.olderwisershorter.com/
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Jan Shaw King, 71, is a strong, resilient woman whose courage led her to create illustrative works that live on in all of our memories. Her first mentor was her grandmother who taught her to see colors and shadows and be brave enough to follow her path. You may remember Ranger Bob and How the Big Bad Wolf Saved Christmas. Children’s stories make up a major part of her portfolio. Jan’s company, Wyld Blue Entertainment, develops imaginative art for theme parks and major movie studios.
"My impressionistic paintings of sea turtles are dedicated to the awareness of these magnificent endangered species." - Jan Shaw King
What she is most proud of is beating an extremely rare form of cancer that only 3% survive. Her book, Life Lines, Verses for Reflection and Recovery is a treasured collection of inspirational verses of love and hope drawn from her personal healing journey as a 27-year cancer survivor.
More recently, Jan has nurtured her love of sea turtles, all 7 species, and uses her creativity and activism to create public awareness of the plight of these creatures due to climate change.
Connect with Jan Shaw King:
Email: [email protected]
WyldBlue Entertainment | WyldBlue Digital
www.WyldBlueEnt.com | www.WyldBlueDigital.com
WyldBlueProduction | www.WyldBlueProduction.com
WyldBlue Digital Press
www.WyldBlueDigitalPress.com
www.SeaTurtleRock.com
www.JanShawKing.com
LIFE LINES: Verses for Reflection and Recovery
LIFE LINES: Metamorphosis of Change: Guidelines for Recovery Workbook
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B. Rosemary Grant, PhD, Research Scholar Emerita at Princeton
University, is world-renowned for 40 years of pioneering fieldwork, with her
husband, Peter, on two uninhabited islands in the Galapagos archipelago.
Their studies of Darwin’s finches in their natural environment have made
enormous contributions to evolutionary biology and ecology. In her memoir-
-One Step Sideways, Three Steps Forward--Rosemary chronicles her
amazing journey: teaching in the Finnish fashion; marrying and forming a
research partnership; earning her PhD at age 49; raising two young
daughters in the Galapagos; teaching and writing; receiving numerous
international awards; and advocating, world-wide, for advancing younger
women’s careers in science. Rosemary’s research and publications have
significant applications for broader areas, such as medicine and cultural
cooperation.
Quote Following your passion does not mean everything has to go in a
straight line; sideways steps can lead to huge leaps forward.
Connect with Rosemary
Email: [email protected]
One Step Sideways, Three Steps Forward: One Woman’s Path to Becoming a Biologist
40 Years of Evolution: Darwin's Finches on Daphne Major Island, New Edition
by B. Rosemary Grant and Peter R. Grant
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Holly Zeinfeld, 79, has moved 22 times and lived in 8 states during her marriage to Steve. They were partners in life and in work until he died a little over a year ago. Holly cared for him in home hospice for 7 years with periodic help from her son.
Everywhere Holly goes, she finds meaningful work to do and makes lifelong friends. She calls herself the Director of Intangibles. No fitness center for pregnant women? She buys one and learns Lamaze to teach it and improve women’s lives. Employees disgruntled? Create a plan to build a cohesive and happy staff. School in Israel is not working for two of her grandsons? Bring them to Chicago to attend high school and live with her for several years.
Even today, living at Plymouth Place in La Grange Park IL, she continues to organize, participate in and build a strong community for herself and her neighbors. No seder? Run one for anyone who might come - 30 people showed up.
Thoughts become things. Say the good ones.
Resilience, tolerance, a deep caring and willingness to put herself out there for others - that is Holly Zeinfeld.
CONNECT TO HOLLY:
Email: [email protected]
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Suzanne Rowen, age 72, has been climbing mountains in the Pacific Northwest for the past 30 years. Leading self and others are cross-over skills between mountaineering and working in high stakes crisis communications on Wall Street, Suzanne’s earlier life on the East Coast. She finds climbing mountains to be “equally intense and marvelously expansive.” As a dedicated mountaineer, Suzanne peaked all the volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest and led numerous climbing expeditions. Now she prefers climbing solo and finds that “being in nature keeps us sane; you never outgrow it.” Suzanne mentors young women in mountaineering and is turning to fiction writing set in nature and mountains.
"The mountains meet you where you are; you can express who you are any time in life"
Connect with Suzanne
Email: [email protected]
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