Restart at Any Age!

Gitta was born Brigitta Spindel in Vienna in 1932. She was six when the Anschluss shattered her world, and nearly seven when she was put on a train with her sister and sent into the care of the OSE, the French Jewish organization that hid and rescued two thousand Jewish children. She spent six years in children’s homes, a convent, and farming families, losing her father, her grandparents, and much of her extended family. Her mother survived and was waiting in England.
She arrived in America at fourteen speaking only French. Of those early years she says simply, “I existed. I didn’t live.” Decades later the past returned in her body. Through therapy she found a way to live fully: forgiving herself and giving the anger back to the perpetrators. “Now,” she says, “I’m living, not just existing.”
At eighty-nine she retraced her wartime journey. At ninety-four her documentary My Name is Gitta premiered in Hollywood and won the audience award. Gitta’s life is a master class in beginning again — at every stage.

Chelsea George fell in love with Santa Cruz in 1980 and still calls it home. Forty years after hopping freights to the National Hobo Convention, she’s heading back to Britt, Iowa — this time by Amtrak — hoping at last to be crowned Hobo Queen.
She’s also a former pro racquetball player, longtime UCSC instructor, photographer and filmmaker, traveler of 112 countries, and the mother who was present at Maya’s birth in Tijuana and later celebrated her daughter’s extraordinary short life. In this conversation she talks about freight-hopping days, racquetball adventures, Haiti, hosting 13-year-old Mardochee, and the motto that still drives her: live life to the fullest. No regrets.

Years ago, Hilary Gates stood frozen as a young athlete collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest right in front of her. She didn’t know what to do.
That moment changed everything.
Today, Hilary is a paramedic, educator, and co-founder of Six Minutes to Live — a movement dedicated to ensuring no one else feels that same helplessness. Through community CPR training, AED access, and a powerful “Care. Measure. Act.” approach, she’s helping people and communities be ready when every second counts.
In the latest episode of *Restart at Any Age*, Hilary shares her remarkable journey: from teaching and volunteer emergency medical work in Washington, D.C., through profound personal loss, to building a new life and mission in Santa Cruz.
Her story is a powerful reminder that our hardest moments can become the beginning of something that saves lives.
Listen to the full conversation.
Because when it comes to cardiac arrest, we all have a role to play.
 

 I’m excited to welcome Damaris Devito — a woman whose creative journey has taken many inspiring turns. Born in New York, she attended the renowned Fame School (Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts), earned a master’s in speech-language pathology, and built a life that includes Bay Area theater, speech therapy, and now a joyful return to singing.
After a sudden divorce, she rediscovered her voice through open mics, bands, and performing across genres. Now retired early at 59, she’s singing in restaurants, wineries, and busking — and she’s incredibly happy.
Today we’ll explore her full story of restarting at any age.

This is the inspiring second half of my conversation with Jeanette Bent. Right after losing her position at KION News Channel (where she earned an Emmy nomination for her powerful coverage of the Moss Landing Fire), she turned that shock into action — creating The 831 Substack within a week.
If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, please listen to it first. It sets the perfect foundation for where this episode goes next.
In Part 2 we explore the rapid birth of The 831, how Jeanette channeled that sudden change into something meaningful, and her powerful work on her novel Dark Star: Reclaiming Lilith — a bold story of reclamation and strength.
This is pure proof that reinvention can happen fast when you’re ready. Jeanette’s story is warm, resilient, and full of creative fire — exactly the kind of pivot energy we all need.
Exciting news: Chez Serendip is launching special fundraising dinners for The 831 at the end of summer — stay tuned for details!
👉 Press play and get inspired to create your own next chapter.Share it with someone who’s facing change right now.
What’s one small step you could take this week toward your own reinvention? Tell me in the comments — I read every one.
#Chez Serendip # Santa Cruz Radio #The 831 Substack # Restart at Any Age
 

Really enjoyed this conversation with Michelle. Her knowledge of the Monterey Bay coast and its wildlife — particularly the elephant seals at Año Nuevo — is impressive. We talk conservation successes, current challenges, and how getting outside can lead to wonderful new paths (including possible art safaris in South Africa or Kenya!).
Great listen for anyone who loves the coast or is thinking about their own restart.
#Monterrey Bay#Elephant Seals #Underwater Canyons #Art in Kenya# Art in South Africa#Whale Tours# Pacific Coast#Restart at Any Age

Join me for a fascinating conversation with Santa Cruz powerhouse Jeanette Bent — performer, journalist, publisher, choreographer, and creative visionary with over 30 years of blending worlds most people keep separate.
From anchoring news at KION and leading editorial teams at Good Times Santa Cruz to choreographing aerial arts and immersive performances on cruise ships, theme parks, and stages across the globe… Jeanette has mastered the art of reinvention. Today she’s the co-founder, editor, and publisher of The 831, founder/director of Stellaria Creative Company (immersive events, visual literature, musical theatre, comics & more), and the author of the mythic fantasy epic Dark Star: Reclaiming Lilith.
We dive into her bold career pivots, the courage it takes to fuse performance with journalism and entrepreneurship, what inspired her latest book, and wisdom for anyone ready to restart or combine their multiple passions.
This episode is packed with inspiration, local pride, and practical insights on creative living and resilience. Whether you’re navigating your own life transition or love stories of women who refuse to be boxed in, you won’t want to miss it!
 Share with someone who’s ready for their next chapter!
#RestartAtAnyAge #SantaCruzCreatives #The831 #DarkStarReclaimingLilith #LifePivots #WomenWhoCreate #SecondActs

In this powerful new episode of Restart at Any Age, I sat down with celebrated photographer and activist Michelle Magdalena Maddox. From being duped by the Brooks Institute’s misleading promises that left her with heavy student debt, to the heartbreaking loss of her father to cancer that sparked a profound pivot into activism for planetary healing, inclusive beauty, and community change — Michelle’s journey is one of remarkable courage. We explore her stunning photography (including My Ophelia in the Steinbeck Museum), her work with the Weston Collective and Juneteenth Coalition, her magazine Magdalena, and her appearance in the documentary Bohemian Soul. Recorded at the beautiful Chez Serendip sanctuary, this conversation is full of inspiration for anyone navigating their own restarts. Listen now and tell us: what pain in your life became fuel for positive change?  #RestartAtAnyAge #Photography #Activism #LifePivots"

Jill Schontag grew up in Oakland. In high school she was told she wasn’t smart enough. She believed it and chose a different path — a degree in Outdoor Recreation that she truly enjoyed.
But the inner flame never died. She eventually became the Career Counselor she was always meant to be.
In this episode we explore the psychology of restarts: overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, and discouraging advice. We discuss reconnecting with your dharma and practical tools like assessments and mindset shifts.
Jill helps people through midlife changes, retirement, feeling stuck, and more.
What struck me most: how many lives are quietly redirected from their true path by the wrong words?
If someone ever told you that you weren’t enough — this is your reminder. That inner voice is still there. It’s never too late.
 #RestartAtAnyAge #FindYourDharma #CareerCounseling #MidlifeReinvention

“If I can jump out of a plane, I can do anything.”
From skydiving legend to airline pilot to author — this week’s guest proves it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
Tune in for raw resilience, grief, joy, and why she still believes life is Pure F’ing Magic
#Surviving#Sky Diving # Never too old # Monterey Bay# Flying#Women pilots#Another Empty Kitchen# Author