Living Your Sparked Second Half

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Get inspired to make the rest your BEST!

Episodes

Thursday Jan 18, 2024

Alcohol Almost Killed Her (Twice) But She Kept Drinking, with Janet Gourand

Thursday Jan 18, 2024

EP388: Today’s guest is Janet Gourand, the founder of Tribe Sober, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals in overcoming alcohol dependence. Janet shares her personal journey through alcoholism and explores the importance of breaking the cycle of dependency.

Our conversation delves into the impact of alcohol on health, relationships, and overall well-being, shedding light on the challenges faced by those struggling with alcohol-related issues. Janet shares her candid and relatable perspectives on the challenges associated with alcohol consumption.

In this episode, we talk about:

Personal experiences relating to alcohol that affected both Janet’s and Laurie’s lives.
The health implications of alcohol consumption.
The profound influence of alcohol on family dynamics and coping mechanisms related to body image and weight.
Suggestions for people dealing with alcohol problems, whether their own or loved ones.

Janet offers valuable advice on recognizing signs of alcohol dependence and seeking help. Our discussion underscores the significance of awareness and open communication, especially when supporting loved ones facing alcohol-related challenges.

Janet also talks about the Tribe Sober Dry January Challenge—a 30-day break from alcohol. More than just a personal growth initiative, this challenge also serves a charitable cause, aligning with the episode's theme of positive change.

Janet's work with Tribe Sober and the inspiring stories she shares underscore the importance of community support and personal commitment in overcoming alcohol-related challenges.

Other ways to find and connect with Janet are:

Website: https://www.tribesober.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribesober/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tribesober

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Saturday Jan 13, 2024

My Hottest Tip For Success On Your 2024 Resolutions

Saturday Jan 13, 2024

EP387: Today I want to talk about my hottest tip for success on your 2024 resolutions and it's based on my personal experiences with setting and achieving goals.

There is ONE SURE THING I've found to be the magical component that helps me stay focused and guarantees I'll achieve a goal. I have proof of this in hitting two big goals I set that I share in this episode.

But in both instances, I didn't just achieve the goal I had set, I KILLED IT! I had more success than I thought possible and found myself accomplishing tasks and getting results I didn't know I was capable of.

I break this conversation into two parts, first talking about the tip and the 3 reasons why, if you don't apply it, you'll likely give up on the pursuit of your resolutions, and then I share how I'm using it for one of my big 2024 resolutions and how this resolution may involve you.

If you are serious about your new year's resolutions, aka goals, and you don't want to fail, this is a must-listen episode. This tip, as you'll hear in my examples, changed my life - TWICE! And I know it can change yours!!!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

If you're interested in my brand new program, "Ready, Set Spark!", CLICK HERE to learn more about it and grab one of the 10 spots before time expires at midnight on 1/17/24.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Thursday Jan 04, 2024

Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work!

Thursday Jan 04, 2024

EP386: Can you believe it’s already the start of 2024? This marks 4 fantastic years of weekly conversations I've had with incredibly inspiring people who are proof that our second half can be so much more rewarding than our first if we simply listen to our heart and share our wisdom from our lived experiences.

I’m beyond thrilled and grateful to embark on another trip around the sun with you and to kick it off, I’m diving deep into the concept of New Year's resolutions — and why I got bothered enough by a couple of social media posts I saw that I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

Let’s set the record straight: Resolutions aren’t merely wishful thinking; they’re about setting purposeful goals and crafting actionable plans. I want to challenge the negative bias around resolutions by breaking down the key components necessary for effective goal-setting. We’ll talk specificity, the importance of tracking progress, and the magic of starting small to build sustainable habits.

What's on my radar for 2024? I want to focus on 3 particular areas: health, creativity, and reading.

I share why I’ve chosen these, and I urge you to come up with your own why for your resolutions because that’s all that matters and it’s what will keep you purpose-driven and unwavering in your commitment to them. No one else’s why should influence YOUR heart-centered goals which is what a resolution should be all about - what your heart wants!

Be inspired by this episode to curate goals tailored to the things that bring you joy and you won't give up on by February, which is my hope for you, so you'll have your best year yet!

Lock arms with me and let’s commit to making 2024 a year of growth, transformation, and sparking the best versions of ourselves!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Friday Dec 29, 2023

The Mantra Every Human Should Live By

Friday Dec 29, 2023

EP385: In today's episode I share the mantra I've decided to adopt for 2024. It's what I believe every Type A (aka "Busy Doer") needs to repeat daily to shift out of the ever-growing, mindless, and often unfulfilling, tasks to a shorter, more passion-based To Do list. But it's a mantra that isn't only for Type As because if you lived by it, you would be a happier human.

You may be wondering why I came up with a mantra vs. a word and I explain this in the episode, but in a nutshell, it was a download from the universe that I believe was sent because I had fallen into my old, bad, Type A habits.

My habit of "busy doing" resulted in less sleep, reduced exercise, unhealthy choices, disconnected relationships, heightened stress, and a perpetual feeling of not having enough time. If you're someone who tends to overwork, I'm sure you can relate and you really need to listen to this episode and take time to do the exercise I share in it!

In this episode I also talk about 3 key areas to consider when it comes to this mantra, AND I provide a reflection exercise that includes a few awesome questions to ask yourself that will help you cultivate a happier and more sparked 2024.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Thursday Dec 21, 2023

Tips for Breaking Free From Your Worrying Ways with Jane Kennard

Thursday Dec 21, 2023

EP384: Today’s guest is Jane Kennard, a Canadian-born, certified anxiety coach. Jane's pivot from a 20-year teaching career at the undergraduate level and 15 years in pastoral ministry to anxiety coaching after retirement and is truly inspiring.

Jane shares her personal experiences with anxiety, which served as the catalyst for her vocational shift. She reflects how her own struggles and the modeling of this behavior by her mom led her this late-in-life interest to help others grappling with anxiety, overwhelm, and worry.

In this episode, we talk about:

How she ended up coaching in the specific niche of anxiety and how her lived experience has led her here.
Her lack of awareness about how anxiety was affecting her life, until she retired and had time to reflect.
The three important steps in navigating through and overcoming anxious thoughts.
Discovering new purpose and fulfillment post-retirement

Her story resonates with those navigating similar paths, shedding light on the transformative power of self-awareness and resilience. She also opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her career change, emphasizing the importance of faith, courage, and insightful guidance in her personal development.

Be inspired by learning how Jane turned her own journey into a beacon of hope and guidance for those seeking to overcome anxiety and found new purpose later in life.

Other ways to find and connect with Jane are:

Website: https://janekcoaching.com/
Email: info@janekcoaching.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Wednesday Dec 13, 2023

What To Do When Someone Bails On You

Wednesday Dec 13, 2023

EP383: In today’s episode, I talk about a recent experience where a close friend of mine had to back out of a long-awaited trip we were going on. To be blunt, it sucked, and I was pissed at missing out on what was supposed to be an amazing girls weekend.

But guess what?!

The weekend happened anyway, even though it went down a bit differently than I had imagined. And shockingly, to my previously extremely disappointed mindset, I ended up having a wonderful time! So I’m sharing my experience in grappling with this huge disappointment and how I navigated through it because I certainly handled it way differently than I would have just a few short years ago.

In this episode I share:

My recent experience of having my bestie back out of a trip about 36 hours before we were supposed to leave.
My 5 most valuable tips for handling your feelings when a plan doesn’t go the way you wanted it to.
A situation with this same friend that happened over 41 years ago and had a very different outcome.
How the unexpected adjustments to my plan actually turned out.

May my tips and using this example of my own experiences help you better navigate disappointments and, in so doing, allow you to find unforeseen opportunities of happier experiences and develop deeper, more understanding relationships in the shifting circumstances.

Stay tuned for an upcoming episode on my reflections of 2023, promising more insightful lessons and real, relateable conversations as the new year approaches.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Wednesday Dec 06, 2023

How to Adjust to Retirement and Find Yourself in the Process, with Renee Langmuir

Wednesday Dec 06, 2023

EP382: In this episode, I interview Renee (pronounced like Ree-nie) Langmuir, a seasoned educator of 34 years who unexpectedly found herself transitioning into retirement after not just one but two successful careers. Then one day, her working life abruptly ended and Renee chronicled that experience and her adjustment as a “rookie retiree” in a series of personal essays.

Renee reflects on her unique perspective, derived from a blend of researched insights and mindful introspection, provides invaluable wisdom for anyone facing unexpected transitions.

In this episode, we talk about:

How her sudden retirement happened and the tactics she used to navigate this new phase of life.
The role of personal essays in her retirement journey and how they were a vital tool for introspection and gaining new perspective.
Her invaluable tip about the first thing you should do when you retire and how it’s impossible to do when you are still working.
Her sadness but acceptance at knowing she’ll never be a grandmother that is relatable to so many.

Renee’s journey serves as an inspiring narrative, brimming with insights to ease transitions and empower individuals to embrace the next chapter of life with enthusiasm and purpose.

With a wealth of experience in education, Renee offers actionable advice and relatable anecdotes, regardless of whether you're on the cusp of retirement or in a state of transition. Tune in now to learn insights and strategies from Renee’s remarkable journey, and discover how her experiences can guide you towards a fulfilling and delightful new phase of life.

Other ways to find and connect with Renee are:

Website: https://www.therookieretiree.com/

Contact: https://www.therookieretiree.com/#contact-me

Published posts: https://www.therookieretiree.com/#published-posts

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Wednesday Nov 29, 2023

Traveling Alone May End Up Being Your Best Adventure Yet, with Karen Ericson

Wednesday Nov 29, 2023

EP381: In this episode, I interview Karen Ericson who is an inspiration for all those seeking the courage to embark on new adventures, regardless of age. At 64, Karen has cultivated a life enriched with wisdom from 31 years as an educator, cherishing the roles of a devoted mother to three incredible children, a grandmother to an adorable grandson, and a partner in a loving marriage spanning 44 years.

Karen's story is one of self-discovery, a poignant narrative that led her to undertake an awe-inspiring feat: traveling alone to Portugal to walk the Camino Trail by herself at the age of 63. She shares this profound experience, revealing the pivotal moments that ignited her decision to traverse this spiritual pilgrimage and the transformative insights she learned along the way.

In this episode, we talk about:

The profound insights and revelations Karen received through this experience.
The unexpected gift of human connection she got while traversing the Camino.
How, even with a supportive and loving spouse, you can feel unfulfilled and unsettled, with feelings of wanting more in your life.
Tips for getting over the fear of traveling alone.

Throughout our conversation, Karen highlights the importance of being a seeker, trying new adventures, and spending time in nature. She passionately advocates for the belief that the pursuit of growth and the embrace of novel experiences are not bound by fear or age.

Her compelling personal experience serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging women to confront their fears and ardently pursue their dreams, irrespective of the challenges that may accompany them. Karen’s solo adventure is a great reminder that it's never too late to chase your dreams, and you don’t need anyone but yourself to do so!

Other ways to find and connect with Karen are:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authenticlivingbykaren

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authenticlivingbykaren/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Wednesday Nov 22, 2023

When Losing Your Vision, Helps You See Better, with Laura Alden Kamm

Wednesday Nov 22, 2023

EP380: Today’s guest is Laura Alden Kamm, a beacon of resilience and a testament to the power of intuition in navigating life's challenges. You’ll hear Laura’s journey, which is nothing short of extraordinary, as she shares how she died and watched the scene unfold outside of her body, then was sent back to the world of the living. Yep! And she shares how she woke up partially blind, but as she explains, she sees so much more than she had previously!!!

At 26, Laura's life took an unexpected turn with a sudden illness that almost took her life and left her, a mom of three young children, partially blind. After her near-death experience, she awoke to undergo a grueling 10-hour brain surgery, from which she emerged with a renewed sense of being here for a purpose and an unwavering commitment to life's miracles.

In this episode, we talk about:

Laura's near-death encounter and subsequent brain surgery, how that transformed her perspective on life, and ultimately led to her innate gift as a medical intuitive.
Laura’s courageous decision to leave a stifling marriage that led her to unlock a world of possibilities as she came into alignment with her true self.
How adversity and pivotal choices can lead to explosive personal growth and the revelation of unrealized gifts.
Laura’s insights on intuition: understanding it’s more than just a hunch and how you need to be brave enough to let it guide you.

Although Laura's life took a few detours before she uncovered her true purpose and gift as a medical intuitive, her journey is a testament to the significance of following one's authentic path.

Laura’s passion for writing, teaching, and speaking about the profound wisdom within us all has touched lives across 140+ countries for over four decades. She has graced stages alongside luminaries like Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Wayne Dyer, sharing insights about our inner power and unique intuitive capabilities.

Throughout our conversation, Laura illuminated the true essence of intuition, emphasizing that it's more than mere instinct—it's a bridge connecting the depth of our being to the practicalities of existence. Her journey exemplifies the profound impact of listening to our inner wisdom, finding joy, serving others, and fulfilling our life's purpose.

Other ways to find and connect with Marie are:

Website: https://www.laurakamm.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraAldenKamm/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraaldenkamm/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1uZRaEAvDhq7jChwVi6xaA

The Voice of Intuition Podcast: https://www.laurakamm.com/podcast-season-1-2020

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below: 

Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Wednesday Nov 15, 2023

1958 vs. 2023: Fascinating Stats for Baby Boomers!

Wednesday Nov 15, 2023

EP379: Do you think life is better or worse for a 65-year-old than it was in 1958? And have you ever seen statistics to back up that opinion?

Well, I am excited to tell you that I came across a fascinating article I just had to share with you, and that's what this week's episode is all about. I'm sharing real data that shows how life today is different from our grandparents.

Wonder what the median house price was then compared to now and what it would be if only inflation was a factor? Curious about where most of the 65+ population lived in 1958 compared to now? (This was a surprise!)

Want to know who is turning 65 this year? (WHAT?! How is that possible?)

Would you like to know how our spirituality, beliefs about personal rights, and trust in government has shifted? (This probably won't be a surprise to you...)

How about what we died of then compared to today? (This one is interesting!)

Some of these facts may surprise you, especially when you hear about the one thing we use almost daily that did not exist in 1958. (It's shocking to know when this arrived on the scene and how it's impacted the life of today's aging population!)

It certainly was fun for me to learn these things, and now that you know them too, you have something interesting to talk about with your kids and grandkids at Thanksgiving dinner!

If you'd like to hear more of this type of episode, let me know. And don't forget to leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) the podcast (if you haven't already) because this helps spread the word to other baby boomers about this podcast.

If you'd like other ways to connect with me outside of this podcast, sign up for my newsletter on my website. You can also send me a message using any of the sites below: 