What happens when grief becomes the catalyst for finally answering a lifelong creative calling? In episode 247 of Joy Found Here, Celeste Fenton shares how losing her husband in 2020 forced her to confront who she was beyond educator, wife, and mother. At 60+, she stopped making excuses and started writing the suspense romance series that had been "chirping" at her for decades. Her journey to self-published author isn't just about books—it's about giving yourself permission to fail, discover who you are, and step out of the "shadow of the but."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(05:53) Leaving a Difficult Childhood Behind

(11:07) Divorce, Single Parenthood, and Going Back to School

(14:27) The Loss That Changed Everything

(14:29) Starting to Write at 60+

(15:53) Sharing Her Terrible First Draft

(17:59) Finding Her Identity Through Writing

(23:16) The Solo Trip to Maine That Sparked It All

(40:27) Creating Gabby Hart: A Messy Midlife Heroine

(46:26) Shifting from Success to Meaning

(49:26) Inspiring Other Women to Pursue Their Passions

Celeste Fenton spent 30 years as an educator and director in adult and continuing education, earning her degrees from Kansas State University and the University of South Florida. After growing up in a difficult household north of Tampa and navigating divorce as a single parent, she returned to school for her master's degree and built a fulfilling career in higher education. She remarried in 1997 to a fellow educator, but when her husband unexpectedly passed away in 2020, that loss became a catalyst. At 60+, grieving and searching for her identity beyond the roles of wife, mother, and educator, Celeste finally answered the creative calling that had been "chirping" at her for decades and began writing seriously in 2021.

In this episode, Celeste opens up about the vulnerable process of writing her first draft and discovering parts of herself she hadn't consciously acknowledged. Drawing inspiration from a solo trip to Maine, she created her "Mysteries of a Heart" suspense romance series featuring Gabby Hart—a midlife protagonist navigating family secrets, romance, and mystery. With two published books, "Lost Heart in King Manor" and "Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle," and a third coming in 2026, Celeste's purpose has shifted from seeking success to inspiring others. She now speaks to women's groups about stepping out of the "shadow of the but" and giving yourself permission to try, fail, and discover who you are. Her message is clear: it's never too late to answer the call that's been waiting for you.

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What happens when a milestone birthday sparks restlessness instead of celebration—and becomes a turning point for deeper purpose? In episode 246 of Joy Found Here, Allison McCune Davis joins Stephanie to rethink aging, midlife, and what comes next. A mother of five and natural health educator, Allison shares how turning 60 pushed her to stop coasting, ask bigger questions, and create a clear plan for living fully—body, mind, and soul.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(04:18) The moment turning 60 stopped feeling comfortable

(05:05) Why decade birthdays demand honest reflection

(06:30) Letting go of “mom mode” and redefining self

(08:31) How age labels distort women’s health narratives

(11:11) Raising five kids through birth, adoption, and choice

(14:34) A first wake-up call into natural healing

(16:26) Saying yes to a challenge that changed everything

(19:06) How mindset and community shape what’s possible

(21:52) The three-pillar framework for a strong second half

(28:50) Building momentum through a 60-day reset

Allison McCune Davis is an author, certified naturopath, and natural health educator with over a decade of experience supporting women in building healthier, more intentional lives. A former television producer and homeschooling mother of five, she brings both structure and compassion to her work, drawing on longevity research, habit formation, and holistic health. Allison is the author of Sixty Is a Good Start, a practical guide for women navigating midlife with clarity, vitality, and purpose, and she leads programs that help women turn insight into sustainable daily action.

In this episode, Allison shares how turning 60 became a catalyst for reinvention rather than a moment of decline. She reflects on the identity shifts that follow motherhood, the restlessness many women feel in midlife, and how that discomfort can spark meaningful change. Introducing her three-pillar framework—body work, brain work, and world work—she explains why small, consistent habits shape long-term health, connection, and fulfillment. Her message is clear and empowering: our future is built through the daily routines we choose, and it’s never too late to begin creating a life that feels strong, purposeful, and fully alive.

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What if the changes you’ve been dreading—fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, shifting desire—aren’t signs that your body is failing, but signals that it’s asking for a new kind of care? In episode 245 of Joy Found Here, Stephanie sits down with Dr. Betsy A.B. Greenleaf for a candid, empowering conversation about menopause, hormones, and midlife vitality. Together, they challenge outdated myths, explore why so many women feel blindsided by this transition, and reveal why this chapter can be a powerful beginning—not an ending.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(02:02) How Dr. Betsy found her calling in women’s health

(07:44) What menopause really is—and what it isn’t

(09:46) Genetics, stress, and the timing of menopause

(13:59) Hormones and their full-body impact

(17:07) Understanding hormone replacement options

(20:01) The study that shaped menopause fear

(24:08) Is it ever too late to start hormones?

(28:35) Collagen, protein, and supplement truths

(36:41) Sex, stress, and midlife desire

(44:02) Why PAUSE matters in midlife

Dr. Betsy A.B. Greenleaf is a triple board-certified OB-GYN and integrative medicine physician with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in menopause, hormones, sexual health, and longevity. As the founder of the International P.A.U.S.E. Institute, she helps women and men over 40 navigate midlife changes with clarity, confidence, and choice—blending conventional medicine with functional and holistic approaches. Her work centers on whole-body wellness, education, and empowerment rather than quick fixes. Dr. Greenleaf is a sought-after speaker and media expert, featured in outlets such as Forbes and Oprah Daily.

In this episode, Dr. Greenleaf reframes menopause not as an ending, but as a natural transition into a powerful “second spring,” offering reassurance that women are not broken—and that it’s never too late to feel well again. She breaks down how hormonal shifts affect the entire body, from mood, sleep, and brain fog to skin health, bone density, and intimacy, while clearly explaining the full range of options available, including lifestyle changes, supplements, and hormone therapy. With honesty and nuance, she addresses long-standing fears around hormones, unpacking outdated research and emphasizing that every path forward is a personal decision. She also highlights the often-overlooked role of stress, mindset, and brain health in desire and connection, reminding listeners that vitality, pleasure, and confidence can evolve—and even deepen—during midlife.

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