Episodes

How do you reclaim your future when you've lost everything at 50? From total financial loss to total empowerment—this is the comeback story every woman needs to hear. Sophia Dias shares her true survivor story, revealing how she escaped an abusive marriage, faced down a biased legal system, and started over in midlife with nothing. From fashion mogul to domestic abuse survivor, Sophia was left without access to funds, betrayed by those she trusted, and targeted by a husband who had a lo...

In this powerful episode, embodiment coach Toni Bergins shares how movement can serve as emotional medicine, helping us release trauma, pain, and repressed emotions stored in the body. Discover how JourneyDance Toni’s transformative dance practice, helps individuals heal by using movement to express what words cannot. Toni’s personal journey from emotional repression to liberation through dance offers deep insight into how childhood experiences led her to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including ...

Have you ever wondered if who you know matters more than what you know? This question lies at the heart of a transformative conversation with Janice Porter, a relationship marketing strategist who turned her teaching career into a thriving business built on connections. Janice’s journey—from elementary school teacher to LinkedIn specialist—offers valuable insights for anyone feeling stuck or uncertain about their next career chapter, especially midlife professionals considering a change. She sh...

What happens when life keeps pushing you to start over? For Wendy Alexander, every new beginning became an opportunity for transformation and growth. Wendy’s journey begins in apartheid South Africa, where an encounter with racial segregation at the age of seven sparked her passion for justice. That pivotal moment on the beach, when police removed her family from the "whites-only" sand, ignited a lifelong resistance against the status quo. This unwavering spirit fueled her resilience through ye...

Wondering if it’s too late to reinvent after 50? Dr. Alison Schmidt proves it’s not. In this inspiring episode, Alison—once a successful executive coach—shares how turning 50 and facing the COVID crisis pushed her to reimagine everything. From profit-driven consulting to purpose-driven leadership, she now helps others create midlife transformations that align with their deepest values. We explore: What it really takes to create reinvention after 50 How to break free from conventional exp...

In this inspiring episode of ''Aging With Purpose and Passion", Jenny Leigh Hodgins takes us on a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery through creativity. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, Jenny found refuge in music at a young age, using the piano as her emotional sanctuary. What began as a source of comfort became her life’s passion and career, leading her to become a composer, teacher, and creative empowerment coach. After discovering Buddhism in her twenties, Jenny gr...

What happens when trauma gets buried for fifteen years? Kim Langling's powerful journey from military sexual assault survivor to advocate and author shows us both the cost of silence and the liberation that comes with breaking it. Kim never planned to join the military when she was growing up in small-town America, but with limited options and no interest in college, she enlisted and quickly found herself thriving in military intelligence. Her life changed forever when she was sexually assau...

What if the secret to aging well isn’t found in anti-wrinkle creams or retirement plans, but in purpose, community, and perspective? Filmmaker Sky Bergman discovered this truth when she interviewed 40 elders aged 75+, gathering a collective wisdom of 3,000 years. Sky’s journey from a 30-year university teaching career to documentary filmmaking at midlife—sparked by her 100-year-old grandmother's active lifestyle—reveals how embracing change and purpose can transform the later years of life. Des...

In this inspiring episode of Aging With Purpose and Passion, Caren Paskel shares her extraordinary transformation from a shy, anxious teenager to a woman of unshakable self-belief. Her journey began with yoga, a practice that sparked a spiritual awakening and became her anchor through life’s storms. When she met David—her soulmate and a bold dreamer 12 years her junior—Caren’s world expanded. Together, they built a life and businesses filled with purpose, defying doubts about their age gap. Fac...

Mary Beth O’Connor’s life is a gripping redemption story of addiction recovery and resilience. From surviving childhood abuse, sexual assault, and decades of methamphetamine addiction to achieving 30 years of sobriety as a federal court judge, her journey inspires women over 50 to find purpose and passion. In this Aging with Purpose and Passion podcast episode, O’Connor shares with Beverley Glazer the raw mechanics of transformation—how trauma fueled her dependency, starting with alcohol at 12 ...

Shelia Schneider's journey from military spouse to nonprofit leader reveals how our life experiences perfectly prepare us for unexpected purpose. Raised in a family where all nine siblings had military connections and later marrying an Air Force serviceman, Shelia intimately understood the challenges military families face—frequent relocations, year-long separations, and the struggle to maintain career continuity while supporting a service member. Her professional path was anything but linea...

What does it take to rebuild your life after unimaginable tragedy? Dr. Kimberly Harms knows this journey intimately. Born as a thalidomide baby with seven fingers, she defied an advisor who told her dental school was impossible, going on to become the first female president of the Minnesota Dental Association. But her greatest challenges came later – losing her mother to suicide, then facing her son Eric's suicide at just 19 years old. The moment that transformed her grief journey came unexpect...

Step into a world where age is embraced, creativity flourishes, and women empower one another. In this enriching episode, Beverley Glazer talks with Jacqueline Perez (Jack), a gifted poet and founder of Kuel Life, who discovered her passion for poetry at the age of 60. With a backdrop of cultural challenges as a child of Cuban refugees, Jacqueline shares her journey of navigating life’s hurdles - from corporate dissatisfaction to the emotional turbulence of menopause. Jacqueline's candid reflec...

In this episode of Aging with Purpose and Passion, host Beverley Glazer welcomes Dawn Smith, a relationship and career transition coach who has embraced her ADHD and non-conformity to inspire others. Dawn shares her personal journey from feeling like a misfit to finding her purpose as a mentor and coach. This insightful conversation reveals how embracing authenticity can lead to deeper connections and more meaningful relationships. Dawn offers practical communication strategies, including the c...

In this empowering episode of Aging with Purpose and Passion, host Beverley Glazer sits down with financial expert Sherry Finkel Murphy, founder of Madrina Molly, to explore how women can take actionable steps towards financial security and financial independence at any age. Sherry challenges misconceptions about women and money, offering practical advice that helps foster confidence in financial planning and wellbeing. Together, they dive into: • Sherry’s journey into financial planning and em...

What if your life could truly begin at 50? In this inspiring episode, Aging with Purpose and Passion welcomes Margie Zable Fisher, who took a bold leap from a high-powered PR career to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an author. After experiencing career burnout, Margie found herself searching for new purpose, ultimately rediscovering her passion for writing—proving that reinvention after loss and starting over at 50 is not only possible but deeply rewarding. Margie’s journey is shaped by ...

In this episode, we dive into the powerful transformation of Blanca Rodriguez, from a life marked by trauma and addiction to one of empowerment, healing, and purpose. Blanca’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for anyone looking to break free from their past and embrace personal growth. Her story emphasizes the vital role of self-care, education, and breaking the silence around mental health. We’ll explore: • Blanca’s traditional upbringing and the struggles with self-worth that shaped her ear...

How do the stories of our past shape who we become? In this episode of Aging with Purpose and Passion, host Beverley Glazer talks to Jackie Tantillo, veteran broadcaster and host of Should Have Listened to My Mother, to explore the deep, lasting impact of maternal influence on our lives. Jackie, the youngest of seven in an Italian-American family, shares personal reflections on how childhood experiences, familial bonds, and life’s unexpected twists—including a career in radio broadcasting and a...

This episode emphasizes the transformative journey from codependency to self-awareness and personal empowerment, highlighting Josette Diaz's experiences and insights. It encourages listeners to prioritize their own needs, learn to love themselves, and recognize that their past does not define their future. • Josette's early life shaped her beliefs about worthiness • The challenge of overcoming childhood trauma and creating healthy relationships • Importance of therapy and self-awareness in brea...

After a tumultuous upbringing in a conservative Christian household filled with challenges and expectations, Alina Wilson, the visionary founder and CEO of Bridgeport Laser and Wellness Center, opens up about her personal trials, from teenage pregnancy and eventually navigating complex relationships and marriages. Her story is a testament to defiance and independence, as she chose her own path despite societal pressures and personal setbacks, including a marriages that ended due to substance abu...

This week, Melissa Davey joins us to share her remarkable journey of transformation from a corporate executive to an award-winning filmmaker, all beginning at the age of 65. Her story is an inspiring testament to resilience and the power of pursuing one's passion, regardless of age. Growing up with frequent relocations, Melissa developed adaptability and resilience, traits that would later fuel her bold leap into filmmaking. Despite a lifelong love for film, she initially followed a more tradit...

What happens when life's challenges seem insurmountable? Rhonda Nelson, an author, speaker, patient advocate, and philanthopist, shares her incredible journey of resilience and purpose in the face of profound personal loss and health struggles. Her story begins with the early loss of her father and the subsequent tragedy that took her stepfather's life, leaving her to navigate grief, her business and support her mother. Despite these hardships, Rhonda's unwavering faith and spiritual upbrin...

Growing up in a small Texas town, Barbara Holifield faced a childhood shadowed by addiction and loss. She bravely shares her journey of navigating intergenerational trauma, offering profound insights into how the unresolved pain and chaos of one generation can ripple into the next. Through the power of education and the support of a nurturing alternative school, Barbara discovered the healing potential of poetry and storytelling, underscoring the critical role of moral support in overcoming life...

What happens when a former nun finds her calling in the corporate world? Join me, Beverley Glazer, as we unravel the awe-inspiring journey of Denise Pyles, a dedicated mindfulness coach and former nun whose life is a testament to resilience and purpose. Raised in a large Catholic family, Denise learned the values of love, service, and faith early on, which guided her through formidable health challenges like chronic endometriosis. These trials didn't deter her; instead, they led her to discover ...