Restart at Any Age!

Podcast # 138 Feast your ears on Jeanette Bent (Part one)

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

Podcast #137 A compelling interview with photographer and activist Michelle Magdalena Maddox for Restart at Any Age, including questions on her pivots from her artistic life

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"

Podcast # 136 Finding Your Dharma Despite Early Doubt, with Jill Schontag Career Councillor

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

Podcast# 135 PFM: How Skydiving, Heartbreak & Flying Led to Pure F’ing Magic an interview with Kathy Julien

“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

Episode#134 What it takes to free Whales from Entanglement!

She gave up a thriving business to save whales — and never looked back.
At 41, Peggy Stap had one life-changing encounter with a humpback and let that passion take over everything. Today she runs Marine Life Studies and leads the Whale Entanglement Team, rescuing whales off California.Her story of total life pivot and unwavering dedication is here to listen to!
#LifePivot #SecondAct #WhaleRescue #WomenInConservation

Podcast #133 A conversation with Alesa Lightbourne — the real-life Badass Grandma!

What if your life could explode with adventure at any age?
Meet Alesa Lightbourne — the real-life Badass Grandma!
In 1976 she escaped Jamaica with many of the middle class as civil war loomed, sailing the Caribbean as a political refugee with a newborn baby. She lived with Bedouins in Saudi Arabia, moved to Kurdish Iraq at 58 on a dare from her son, reconnected with a college flame on Facebook 40 years later (“Pay up, girl”), cared for him through terminal illness, and is now an award-winning author of Kurdish Bike. and the author of Badass Grandma!
Her story proves it’s never too late for bold pivots, courage, and wonder.
We dive into refugee escapes, late-life adventures, second-chance love, caregiving, and what being a “Badass” really means after 60.
If you’re 40, 50, 60+ and feel stuck — this is for you.
❤️ Like or comment if she inspires you!
#BadassGrandma #NeverTooLate #LifePivots #Courage #SecondAct

Podcast#132 An inspiring conversation with 2000's Renaissance Man Will Barba

From neuroscience student and college soccer player to founder of Temptations Bazaar and curator of the beautiful redwood sanctuary Chez Serendip, Will’s journey of courage, pivots, and deep community healing is exactly what so many of us need right now.
In this episode he shares:How COVID cracked him open and led himto choose community over a traditional sales path
The magic of saying “yes” to last-minute opportunities
The power of “Reconnect & Remember”
How to listen to your inner call and start blooming where you’re planted
Will moves so gracefully between science & soul, action & intuition, building something beautiful for all of us.
 
Question for you: Where in your life are you feeling a quiet (or loud) pull toward something different? What would “rooting deep and blooming” look like for you right now?
Drop your thoughts below — your story might be the encouragement someone else needs today 💛
Big thanks to Will Barba. Go follow his work @temptationsbazaar and @chezserendip — pure magic happening there.
#TemptationsBazaar #ChezSerendip #LifePivot #ReconnectAndRemember #CommunityHealing #SantaCruz #ConsciousLiving

Podcast# 131 Everything Santa Cruz Shakespeare Company, with Charles Pasternakl Artistic Director!

Today we’re taking a different tack , apart from the wonderful programs coming up with the Shakespeare company, we are also exploring the unexpected, behind-the-scenes side of outdoor theatre — all the creative and surprising ways non-actors can help bring Shakespeare to life under the Cedars.

Podcast #130 An interview with Alisa Sieber Johnson

My longest podcast yet — and it was worth every minute!
We recorded at the beautiful Chez Serendip in Scotts Valley, our new sponsor and a stunning estate that supports artists and community.
I sat down with founder Alisa Sieber-Johnson — former Marine C-130 pilot and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator — who had her life mapped out for the airlines until the pandemic changed everything. 
This is a powerful conversation about pivoting when the life that works on paper no longer fits.
 
 
#RestartAtAnyAge #ChezSerendip #LifePivot #SecondAct #WomenVeterans #MarineCorps #Podcast

Podcast# 129 Getting to know the Ladies of Bonny Doon and their club

Have you ever gone through a big life change… and quietly wondered:
“Where do I belong now?”
A move. A retirement. A loss.And suddenly, everything feels different.
In this episode, two women share what happened when they found themselves in that exact place—after moving to the mountains of Bonny Doon.
What they found next changed everything.
Not just a group… Not just social gatherings… But real connection, support, and belonging
If you’ve ever felt alone in a transition—this conversation is for you.