What does it look like to keep growing, exploring, and breaking barriers at 79? You’re about to find out.

Our guest, Nancy Shear, has been defying expectations her entire life - from sneaking into Philadelphia Orchestra concerts at 15 to becoming the personal librarian to Leopold Stokowski in a field that had very little room for women at the time.

Nancy shares what it took to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated field, and how curiosity, courage, and persistence opened doors that once seemed firmly closed.

We also explore her memoir, I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms, a fascinating look behind the curtain of classical music’s golden age. Through her stories, she preserves a world few people experienced, and reminds us of the power of paying attention, staying engaged, and sharing what we’ve lived.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Curiosity doesn’t fade with age - it fuels us
• Barriers can be broken at any stage of life
• Your experiences and stories truly matter
• There is always more ahead for you

Nancy’s life is a beautiful reminder: we are never done becoming.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – ande@dontbecagedbyyourage.com.

Do you ever notice how age can feel like a barrier instead of a bridge?

I’ve discovered one of the most powerful ways to dismantle ageism isn’t policy, awareness campaigns, or corporate training - it’s relationships across generations.

In this episode, I’m sharing why intergenerational friendships, mentorships, collaborations, and workplace partnerships are so effective at breaking down stereotypes and creating a more age-inclusive world.

When generations truly connect, amazing things happen:

• Curiosity replaces assumptions
• Wisdom meets innovation
• Experience meets fresh perspective

I also share a personal story about my dear friend Emily, who is 30 years younger than me. She’s a light in my life and heart, and our friendship is a daily reminder of the joy, insight, and perspective we can gain when we embrace relationships across ages.

And it’s not just about friendships. Research shows that age-diverse teams are more innovative, productive, and effective. Intergenerational connections can fuel our purpose, passion, and yes… even our pocketbooks.

If we truly want to dismantle ageism in our culture, the answer may be simpler than we think: start connecting with people from different generations, today.

In this episode, I share why ageism thrives when generations are separated, how being the oldest person in the room can actually be a gift, and the surprising ways younger and older generations learn from each other ... all through real stories, research, and my own friendships.

A Personal Invitation
This week, I invite you to start a conversation with someone from a different generation. Listen. Share your story. Ask questions. Be curious.

Because when generations connect… ageism doesn’t stand a chance.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – ande@dontbecagedbyyourage.com.

What if retirement isn’t the end of something… but the ignition switch for your most powerful chapter yet?

In this energizing and deeply honest conversation, I’m joined by Deborah Holliday - international flight attendant of more than 30 years, storyteller, and Founder of The Flying Treasure Hunter - to talk about aging, reinvention, and why it’s time to stop buying into the cultural narrative that says growing older means growing smaller.

Deborah and I first connected after being featured in Vogue Business in an article about the Baby Boomer beauty consumer. From that moment, I knew we were kindred spirits - women committed to challenging ageism and celebrating vitality at every stage of life.

In this episode, we explore:

✨ Internalized ageism and how it quietly shapes the way we see ourselves
✨ The damaging “anti-aging” messaging in the beauty industry
✨ Why language around women and aging matters more than we think
✨ What 30 years as an international flight attendant taught Deborah about vitality, resilience, and intergenerational connection
✨ Returning to flight attendant training at 66 after a traumatic brain injury
✨ What it truly means to not retire… but reignite and refire

Deborah shares candidly about approaching 70 and recognizing the subtle ways she had absorbed society’s beliefs about aging. Together, we chat about how to confront those internalized narratives and choose something more expansive.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Am I too old to start something new?”

“Is this chapter supposed to be quieter?”

“What’s next for me?”

This episode is your invitation to challenge that thinking.

Because aging isn’t about decline. It’s about discovery.

It’s about treasure hunting your own life experiences and recognizing the wisdom, courage, and spark you already carry.

✨ So here’s my question for you, Pro-Ager:
Where in your life are you ready to reignite?
What part of you is waiting to refire?

If this conversation moved you, share it with another Pro-Ager who needs to hear it.

And most importantly - keep aging out loud and proud!

Visit Deborah's website here, and follow her on Instagram @deborahjholliday.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!

For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee

Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – ande@dontbecagedbyyourage.com.