I believe in the power of stories, and Yvonne Marchese's story is a doozy. She is what she calls a "serial pivotal," person, a person who has changed course many times in her life. For many years, she was filled with frustration, anger, and even depression. The future held little promise. But when she was in her late 40s, she had what she calls a "Mid-Life Awakening," not a Mid-Life Crisis.

Yvonne began to understand why she'd never been comfortable with the uncomfortable and the steps that lead to emotional and physical health. Three years ago, she launched her podcast, "Late Bloomer Living" and has not looked back. She takes listeners on a journey as she and her guests talk about what it means to try new things in mid-life and beyond. "It is not about changing yourself," she says, "but about changing how you think about yourself.

"You are not too late. It is never too late."

Today, Yvonne is not only the host of her podcast but a photographer, speaker, mother, and wife. She is smart, involved, and funny.

On a personal note, it is exciting to hear from women a few decades younger than I am (Yikes!) who are getting their acts together and discovering how to age with zest and enthusiasm. There is no dread here, only excitement about the here and now and the future.

https://www.latebloomerliving.com/
https://www.latebloomerliving.com/community
https://www.latebloomerliving.com/community

In the late 70s, Jan Yager was single and convinced she'd never find a life partner. So, she turned her attention, research, and writing to the importance of friendships and the many ways friends impact our lives. Studies show that a network of good friends makes our lives more satisfying and that, as we age, it is important to replenish our circle of friends.

Yager divides friends into three categories: best, close, and casual. Although there are no hard and fast numbers, she suggests we need one to two best friends, four to six close friends, and, for better or worse, a slew of casual friends like those we meet through social media.

But what happens when a best or close friend betrays, abandons, or wounds us? How do we decide if the friendship is salvageable? How can we try to fix things? Or what can we do if the friendship is no longer worth maintaining? Breaking up with a dear friend can be as traumatic as breaking up with a partner, a family member, or a professional mentor.

With decades of experience as a sociologist, friendship coach, author, and speaker, Jan is the go-to expert. You may be surprised at some of what she has to say and appreciate the concrete tools she provides.

www. Drjanyager.com

When Friendship Hurts: How to Deal with Friends Who Betray, Abandon, or Wound You

Friendshifts: The Power of Friendship and How It Shapes Our Lives

Friendgevity: Making and Keeping the Friends Who Enhance and Even ExtendYour Life

For a selection of other books by Jan Yager, go to
http://www.Drjanyager.com

One of the first questions I ask a guest is to describe her childhood. It never fails that the child they describe is in so many ways the older woman they’ve become, As either a Jesuit or Aristotle said, “Show me a child until he (she) is seven and I will show you the man (woman.)” Diana Place is the founder of the 333 Collective, QUEST Gathering & Celebration for women 50+, & Third Act Quest.

So, what was the young Diana like? Until the age of five, she was a “totally free spirit” who climbed trees, chased butterflies, and put dog poop in holes so that neighbor kids would – well, you get it. She loved art, loved to create, and loved to have fun. But when she started school, she was forced to "color within the lines." And she learned the hard way what you can and cannot say. She told a so-called friend that their teacher had a "wrinkly" face. From that point on, this girl threatened to tell their teacher. Diana made her first interpersonal blip and suffered the consequences.

But that lesson informed the person she has become. She understands responsibility, is excited about life, and is open to possibility.

Diana was forced to use all those tools when she faced a serious cancer diagnosis while at the same time dealing with an empty nest and the loss of a business. You’ll love her story of a survivor who put fear in the backseat and found her “calling” to reimagine aging, encouraging other women 50+ to rewrite their stories, and embracing the third act as the best, most exciting times in their lives.

www.thirdactquest.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianadunbarplace/
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7173303695055523840/