I’m speaking to you directly from my heart.

This week marks the fifth anniversary of my baby brother’s passing, and it’s been a difficult time for my family. As I reflect on my own experience with grief, I want to share what I’ve learned—about the many ways people move through loss and how important it is to be kind to yourself and to others during this journey.

I’ll talk about the well-known stages of grief and why it’s absolutely okay to grieve in your own way, on your own terms. I’ll share stories from my neighborhood and my family, from neighbors who find comfort living alone after loss to others who choose to remarry quickly. I believe there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and we all deserve the space to do it in the manner that feels right for us.

If you’re grieving, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand more about the process, I hope this episode encourages you to be gentle, to stop judging, and to start listening with empathy. May it bring you comfort, perspective, and the reminder that kindness is key.

Email me, Lisa Stockdale, anytime at aginginfullbloom@gmail.com

Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale is sponsored by HomeCaire. We believe every patient should get the personalized care they need, in the way they want it. Every caregiver should feel supported, valued, and motivated. We see each person as their own entity, with unique needs, desires, and skills. Our goal is to best support our family as they reach new milestones.

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Android user? http://www.subscribeonandroid.com

Copyright 2026 Lisa Stockdale

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale

Thanks for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale, sponsored by HomeCaire of Ohio. We added an "i" to care because we care about the individual. That includes the individual caregiver and the individual client. From each caregiver's caseload to every client's care plan, we understand that individual preferences and priorities matter. People matter; we haven't lost sight of that here at HomeCaire of Ohio. If you or someone you know needs personal care at home, call 419-458-3000 to learn.

I sit down with author Cammie McGovern, whose latest book, The Last Letters of Sally and Walter, is set to hit shelves soon (April 2026). Cammie brings her wealth of experience as a novelist and teacher to the conversation, sharing the inspiration behind her new work—a heartwarming story about love, friendship, and new beginnings in the later years of life.

Set in a vibrant retirement community, Cammie's novel centers on Sally, a 73-year-old Scrabble prodigy, and Walter, her club leader and soon-to-be companion on and off the Scrabble board. The story beautifully explores the power of connection, the importance of lifelong learning, and the joys of forming rich relationships in your golden years.

We also talk about the realities of aging, the meaningful friendships that blossom later in life, and the importance of seeing older adults authentically represented in books and on screen. So whether you're an older adult, an adult child, or simply interested in stories that celebrate life at every age, this episode is for you.

3 Key Takeaways:

• Friendship and New Beginnings: Later-life communities offer incredible opportunities for new friendships and even love, dispelling the myth that meaningful connections belong only to the young.
• Representation Matters: We need more fiction and media that highlight the complexity, humor, and vibrancy of older adults—because aging is living, not merely enduring.
• Choices and Joy in Aging: Life’s final chapters are filled with options. With curiosity and planning, aging can be a time of growth, fun, and fulfillment.

Email me, Lisa Stockdale, anytime at aginginfullbloom@gmail.com

Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale is sponsored by HomeCaire. We believe every patient should get the personalized care they need, in the way they want it. Every caregiver should feel supported, valued, and motivated. We see each person as their own entity, with unique needs, desires, and skills. Our goal is to best support our family as they reach new milestones.

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Android user? http://www.subscribeonandroid.com

Copyright 2026 Lisa Stockdale

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale

Thanks for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale, sponsored by HomeCaire of Ohio. We added an "i" to care because we care about the individual. That includes the individual caregiver and the individual client. From each caregiver's caseload to every client's care plan, we understand that individual preferences and priorities matter. People matter; we haven't lost sight of that here at HomeCaire of Ohio. If you or someone you know needs personal care at home, call 419-458-3000 to learn.

If you’ve ever dreamed of spending time truly living in Florence, Paris, Portugal, or somewhere off the beaten path, this episode will inspire you to explore the world—and your own joy—at any stage of life.

Welcome to another episode of Aging In Full Bloom. I’m Lisa Stockdale, your host, and today I’m bringing you a conversation that reimagines what travel can look like for older adults.

I’m joined by Andrew Motiwalla, founder and CEO of The Good Life Abroad—a company that takes travel beyond sightseeing tours and solo adventures in unfamiliar cities.

In this episode, I talk with Andrew about his unique, immersive programs that bring together people aged 55 and over for month-long stays in beautiful European cities.

We discuss how these experiences are designed to help you build community, learn new things, and add real joy to your life—what Andrew calls expanding your “joy span.”

We also get into the practicalities you need to consider, like health care abroad and mobility, all while focusing on intentional, meaningful travel that goes way beyond checking places off your bucket list.

Here are 3 key takeaways for those considering the next chapter of exploration:

1. Community Amplifies Joy: Traveling alongside a cohort—not just as tourists, but as connected “community members”—creates lasting relationships, increases joy, and transforms the travel experience into something much deeper.
2. Support with Independence: Programs like The Good Life Abroad provide the perfect balance—independence and flexibility to explore, with support from local community managers and fellow travelers, plus essentials like health coverage and local insights.
3. Intentional Travel Is Transformational: “Checklist” tourism is fine, but setting intentions and embracing the challenge of learning, adapting, and building community can turn each trip into a source of joy and personal growth—at any age.

Email me, Lisa Stockdale, anytime at aginginfullbloom@gmail.com

Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale is sponsored by HomeCaire. We believe every patient should get the personalized care they need, in the way they want it. Every caregiver should feel supported, valued, and motivated. We see each person as their own entity, with unique needs, desires, and skills. Our goal is to best support our family as they reach new milestones.

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Android user? http://www.subscribeonandroid.com

Copyright 2026 Lisa Stockdale

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale

Thanks for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale, sponsored by HomeCaire of Ohio. We added an "i" to care because we care about the individual. That includes the individual caregiver and the individual client. From each caregiver's caseload to every client's care plan, we understand that individual preferences and priorities matter. People matter; we haven't lost sight of that here at HomeCaire of Ohio. If you or someone you know needs personal care at home, call 419-458-3000 to learn.