This episode is about part of a conversation that I had with a friend and wanted to share with you. It's not meant to educate or move you profoundly, but merely to ask a question that I found interesting to ponder because the answer was more obvious to me than my friend. And if this was the case for me, I thought perhaps it could be fodder for thought for some of you.

Is manipulation always a negative?

What do you think?

Are you making choices and living your life based on what you think would be considered the 'right' thing to do by others? Or to get support from others?

Are you staying open to the possibilities of life, or the "realities???"

Are you willing to take chances against the 'norm' in order to live a life that will bring you love, fulfillment, happiness, joy and laughter?

Is the path you are on, getting narrower as a result of your choices and your mindset? Guess what? It's never too late to live wide.

Listen to this episode and hear more about what it means to live wide and how that can affect the quality of the rest of your life!

Stacey Johnson is a clinical therapist and soul aligned women's empowerment coach. Stacey guides high achieving women that have been cracked open by grief or other chaotic life disruptions to reconnect with themselves and have fulfilled relationships by feeling calm and in control, regulating their nervous system, and overcome overthinking.

The goodies that Stacy shares in our conversation will be so helpful to so many listeners I am very eager to share this with you!

So, sit back, relax or take time for a walk to listen, and when you think of a loved one who you know would benefit from this episode, please share it with them!

Relationships of all kinds are ending. We're tired, angry, and scared.

A long time ago I wrote an article reflecting on the importance of how we see things, which affects how we respond, which ultimately affects what our lives will look like and who is or is not a part of our lives. The article was inspired by a melted piece of gum on the sidewalk that looked to me like a musical note.

Well last weekend I was taking a walk and looked down and saw a small black circle next to a small hole and below that was a curved branch in the shape of a wide U. What I saw in total was a smiley face staring back at me. (See above!)

Seeing that smiley face reminded me of the concept of my previous article which led me to current events, both personal and universal which I felt compelled to talk about.

If you have ended relationships recently, want to, or you were the one who was left on the editing room floor...please join me.

Today is a first! My special guest is Frances W Greenspan and she is an animal communicator, author and teacher who speaks with animals both alive and to those who have crossed over.

She is the author of five books on the topic "What Do Your Pets Want You to Know?", "More Messages Your Pets Want You to Know," "Lessons from the Animals," "Learn to Speak with the Animals" (a class she also teaches with the same name) and "Voice for the Animals" – all available on Amazon and Kindle. She is currently working on her next book "Voice for the Animals".

Frances tunes in telepathically to the animal's spirit/higher self to ask questions and receive their answers. She is able to do phone readings as this connection is direct to the spirit of the animal for pets that are rescues, have behavioral issues or have passed on.

Frances shares specific stories with us, how the language of the pet owner doesn't matter, and much more. And she is doing this while loving later life!

Just click play to learn and be entertained!

What are you doing to get through this? There are studies that show being creative is a way to get through difficult times. Ironically however, in preparing for this episode, I wasn't feeling very creative…a bit of a catch 22 situation.

So, I decided to ask Loving Later Life listeners what they are doing to deal, to cope, and to still enjoy life while there is so much chaos, divisiveness and fear around us. For those who contributed, thank you so much for sharing!

In an effort to feel some love and happiness, I spent time this past weekend with some very important ladies in my life and also saw my mom. She and I went to a play that unexpectedly became an integral part of this episode providing much inspiration, which I'm excited to share with you.

I hope you'll listen, enjoy and share if you think of someone who needs to hear it.

Enjoy!

Did you know that listening is what makes you the funniest? And that the craft of learning comedy helps with many life skills and that it supports confidence, connection and trust?!

My special guest joining me is Lynn Harris… a culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, and author/co-author of six books. Her comedy and campaigns for social justice and gender equity have changed laws and conversations from Capitol Hill to NASCAR.

She is the founder and CEO of GOLD Comedy—the comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary creators grow their comedy careers, build powerful communities, and make funny stuff. And here's the amazing thing: the classes are mostly available online!

Also…Rachel Dratch is an advisor, and our guests + mentors have included Margaret Cho, Rachel Bloom, Patti Harrison, Paula Pell, Bridget Everett, Judy Gold, Ashley Nicole Black, Murray Hill, and staffers from The Daily Show, SNL, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Broad City, Search Party, Inside Amy Schumer, and more!

Harris also co-created Breakup Girl (acquired by Oxygen), one of the first multiplatform internet success stories, and co-hosted, with Ginna Green, The Forward's A Bintel Brief: The Podcast. Lynn served as the first VP of communications at global human rights group Breakthrough, where her blend of humor and advocacy powered some of the team's most effective U.S. campaigns. She has also worked as a Tonya Harding lookalike, which is a long story.

If you have ever been curious about what it would be like to do stand-up? Or just wanted to add more comedy to your life? This is a must listen!

Happy New Year!!

So, here we are at the beginning of January. You might be feeling excited if you are happy to say goodbye to 2025. It might feel daunting, whether for personal reasons, or more widespread concerns for all that is happening in our country and our world.

Before the holidays began, I read an article by Maria Shriver that included an exercise which resonated with me, and I thought it might for you, my Loving Later Life family. I found it to be a very helpful, different and fun way to get more in touch with what you want in the new year.

My mom and I also collaborated on a creative project together which I'm excited to share with you at the end of this episode, so be sure to listen until the end!

Happy New Year to you all, and let's get this new year started together!