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A Little Bit About Grief + Some Jaw-Dropping Stories…

A Little Bit About Grief + Some Jaw-Dropping Stories of “Hearing” From People Who Have Died

In today’s episode I talk a little bit about grief + some jaw-dropping stories of “hearing” from people who have died.

Grief is not linear, and we all grieve differently and on our own timelines. Brene Brown was asked how long true grief lasts, and her answer was, “As long as it takes.”

I believe that love in a relationship continues once someone is gone and I have witnessed this by receiving what I believe are ‘signs’ from the other side. I share unexplainable events that have happened to me after losing people I love, and also stories from others. Skeptics may think what they want, and I challenge any of them to explain how these things could have happened. We are energy, and our energy doesn’t die.

One of my missions with this podcast is to talk about the stuff people won’t or don’t want to talk about. That’s bound to increase the number of listeners, don’t ya think?! Seriously, let’s talk about all the elephants in the room! Are ya with me?

Not be missed take-ways:

1. Regarding loss: “You don’t move on. You move forward with it. You’re carrying not just the loss, but the love. You are carrying it all inside you.” Nora McInerny

2. Grief is not linear and we all grieve differently on our own timelines.

3. “We live in a culture where people need us to move through our grief for the sake of their own comfort, and grief does not have a timeline. It takes as long as it takes.” Brene Brown

4. We can feel loss and sadness one minute and laugh the next. It is a complex emotion, and we need to let ourselves feel what we feel and not try to force anything either way. Or feel guilt.

5. There is more to life and death than meets the eye…if we are open to seeing and feeling it.

6. If you’re not feeling everything, you’re missing everything.

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

Stay open. Feel your feels. Be compassionate with yourself. Don’t push the river. And lastly, if you have had any experiences like I shared, I’d love to hear from you.

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please…Rate and Review…if you liked it! 😊 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

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Eugenia Zukerman: Renowned Flutist, CBS Sunday Morning Correspondent &…

Eugenia Zukerman: Renowned Flutist, CBS Sunday Morning Correspondent & Author Talks About Living with Alzheimer’s

78 year-old Eugenia Zukerman is an internationally renowned flutist having played with major orchestras all over the world. The Boston Globe exclaimed, “One of the finest flutists of our time.” She was also the arts correspondent on CBS Sunday Morning for more than 25 years, is a published author, mother, grandmother and wife, where she and her husband Dick Novik make their home in upstate New York.

Eugenia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in November of 2018. I had the honor of talking with her and her husband Dick who lobs words to Eugenia when she can’t quite grasp them. You will be moved by her courage, her upbeat mindset, and poems from the book she wrote after receiving her diagnosis entitled, “Like Falling Through a Cloud.” Eugenia shares her story openly, happily, and vulnerably. She literally brought me to tears not from sadness, but from her uplifting comforting acceptance and determination to do what brings her joy for as long as she possibly can. Please, join us.

Not be missed take-ways:

1. Staying positive is the key
2. If diagnosed, it’s a must to get to know the services at the Alzheimer’s Association.
3. So many times people want to be fixed, but you need to do it yourself.
4. Do what you can to do what will help you stay positive and bring fulfillment in order to make life as good as it can be.

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

Notice how you look at life. Do you focus more on what’s wrong, or what’s good in your life? Whether we get a scary diagnosis or not, our outlook will determine our experience. We may not all be able to be as positive as Eugenia, AND we can certainly let her be an inspiration…that even under the scariest of times, we can find ways to laugh, and enjoy precious moments. It’s our choice, isn’t it?

Click here to reach the Alzheimer’s Association website.

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please rate and review…if you liked it! 🙂 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and follow on Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy, email, nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

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Is It Ok to Talk About Prior Relationships While…

Is It Ok to Talk About Prior Relationships While Dating?

Dating after 50 in later life can have its ‘opportunities.’ Do you think it’s ok to talk about your prior relationships while dating? Apparently, there are many different answers to this question depending on who you ask! What if your date asks you too many questions? Or what if they don’t ask any questions about you at all? Hear how the TV show The View inspired me for this episode. I will be sharing my thoughts in a way that satisfies a couple of my fantasies, so I hope you’ll take a little time to enjoy my view! Come join me!!

Not be missed take-ways:

1. Without knowing about someone’s history, including prior relationships, it’s harder to get to know who a person really is.

2. If you feel comfortable sharing something even on a first date, go for it…and pay attention to how it’s received.

3. If they feel what you share is TMI, then perhaps they’re not the person for you.

4. If your date doesn’t want to hear about your previous relationships, I say that’s a big red flag; run don’t walk.

5. Conversely, if they ask what feels like a lot of inappropriate questions on a first date, that can also be a red flag.

6. Annnd, if they ask NO questions about you at all and basically only talk about themselves, also not so good.

7. Just follow your gut and be you.

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

1) Let me know your thoughts. Would it upset you if your partner called his ex the love of their life?

2) Do you think it’s ok for someone to forbid you to talk about prior relationships? Weigh in here, I want to hear what you think!

3) And lastly, don’t forget to share this episode if you liked it, and please rate and review?! Sign also up for my email on nancylanggibbs.com or lovinglaterlife.com and email me with any topic or guest ideas!

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please…Rate and Review…if you liked it! 😊 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

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4 Feelings And A Funeral

4 Feelings And A Funeral

Emotions run at funerals. For some very high, and for some, low…to no emotion at all. For many of us it can cause us to think of our own mortality. What would be said about us, how many or how few people would attend. For some, the reality of the shortness of life is so in your face that they rethink priorities and choices. My emotional experience with this funeral was very varied. I was thinking about it, and I decided that I could categorize most of the feelings into 4 categories.

I hope you’ll come with me while I share what unexpected feelings I experienced (and why) and the realization it gave me about myself and others as we go through this time of our lives.

Not be missed take-ways:

1. How many of us humans show such disrespect of our lives by remaining complacent. Complacent in our relationships, our jobs, our situations…in our lives.

2. I think it’s more hurtful to stay with someone treading the waters of mediocrity, than it is to shake things up and either try to improve things or get the fuck out.

3. We fucking never know when it is our time, so why do we not make choices that will enable us to have a chance to live our best and most fulfilling life?!

4. Take chances! Whether it’s to do what you can to improve your current situation or change it. Just DO SOMETHING!!

5. None of us HAVE to keep things as they are, which is what some people think. We have a choice. Doing nothing is a choice.

6. Will we ever realize that settling can be the most unsettling choice we can make?

 

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

1) Choose a situation that you’re unhappy, or frustrated, or sad, about, and do something about it. I’m serious! Go to a therapist or coach, talk to your partner if it involves them…take one step.

2) Take another step, and another, until it either improves or you decide to accept it the way it is or make a change.

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please rate and review…if you liked it! 🙂 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and follow on Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy, email, nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

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Pausing For a Life And a Death

Pausing For a Life And a Death

I had another episode planned for this week, and I’ve decided to postpone it. Instead, I’m pausing for a life and a death.

For those of you who may not have seen my post on social media, my mom’s husband of almost 30 years passed away on Monday, September 26th. I just didn’t feel it was right to move forward with business as usual without taking a pause from the schedule. This is an impromptu shortcast as I pause out of respect and reflection. I hope you will join me.

 

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please…Rate and Review…if you liked it! 😊 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

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How to Embrace Aging Despite the Media

How to Embrace Aging Despite the Media

Aging. Try and avoid it at all costs. This is basically the message the media tries to convey to women. They sell us on the fact that we are not as beautiful, and not as sexy as we would be if we erased, plumped, lifted, and enhanced our aging selves. They tell us that looking younger is sexier. It’s all about fighting aging instead of embracing it. They drill into our psyche that it’s a bad thing to look older. In an infomercial I saw recently, the main point being rubbed into our brain was that we should us their cream to erase our wrinkles, erase the crepiness in our skin, erase, erase erase. We can embrace aging despite the media.

Please join me as I look at how this can affect our sense of worth and value. In this episode I push my comfort level of vulnerability in sharing some of what has been said and done to me when I have dared to go without make-up and as I have gotten older. Quotes from Maria Shriver and Glennon Doyle help me express my message to all of us women of a certain age: embracing aging can empower us to feel sexy and beautiful while accepting all parts of us. 

Not be missed take-ways:

1. If we are not happy on the inside with ourselves, the applications of creams, makeup, Botox, etc. can give us a lift…so to speak…for sure, but it’s not a permanent lift. A more permanent change needs to come from the inside out.

2. All of our signs of aging tells a story that has meaning, life lessons and the fact that we got through it all. That is something to own, and about which to be so very proud.

3. If we buy into the bullshit that comes from the cosmetic industry, we will never be happy, and will be riding the hamster wheel of attempting to perfect our forehead, our lips, our skin, our boobs, our eyebrows, our chin, our butts, our eyes etc. etc. etc. Where does it end?

4. From Maria Shriver on this topic: “The truth is, we all want someone to see the jewel that is inside of us. We all long to be seen as valuable, no matter how old we are. And we work hard trying to get others to recognize our value, our worth, so often giving them the power to decide if we are, in fact, jewels to be cherished. But that power is actually our own. It’s yours. Don’t give it away.”

5. From moi, Nancy Lang Gibbs, “Let the jewels inside your treasure chest shine, and that is true beauty for anyone to behold!”

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

1) Do you feel as though the invisibility cloak has been thrown on you as you’ve gotten older? Write to me and let me know why you feel this way.

2) I’d like to propose a day, choose any day in the next week, and if you are listening to this at some point in the future, pick a day, and go out without make-up! See how it feels and please write in to share your experience so I can share on the podcast! Even better, send a voice memo so I can play it! And if you don’t know how to do that write me and I’ll help you!

3) Please share this with one person and if they do the same it will help this community grow. Re-post on social media, text or email an episode to someone…any way that’s easy for you to share share share, I would be grateful. (And rate/review if you’re enjoying?)


Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please…Rate and Review…if you liked it! 😊 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

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Is Quitting Really a Bad Thing?

Is Quitting Really a Bad Thing?

Is quitting really a bad thing? The definition of quitting has changed over the years, and not in a good way in my opinion. Join me in what may prove to be a controversial after-party discussion.

In this episode I have a lot of fun sharing some of my past experiences living my dream working in television which was made possible because of my decision to quit something else…which was not a popular decision at the time amongst my village of people.

I take an opportunity to shout out to my favorite acting teacher and Casting Director Mark Teschner for whom I will be eternally grateful. I still have my Emmy award winning speech prepared, and still believe that it’s not too late! On that, I am not giving up!

Not be missed take-ways:

1. One path does not fit all.

2. “Winners never quit, and quitters never win…. I call bullshit.

3. Staying with something or someone for the sake of not wanting to ‘be a quitter’ is not a good thing if you are unhappy and not living in alignment with who you are.

4. Sometimes it’s just that we’re allowing ourselves to let go.

5. No one knows what is best for you better than you. Other than talking it through with a good therapist who helps you to see what you already know.

6. While it’s great to have a support system, we ultimately need to count on ourselves to do what is best for us.

7. No matter how old we are, it’s never too late to quit. Quit second guessing yourself. Quit listening to the societal noise. Quit worrying about making the wrong decision. Quit overthinking. Quit putting yourself down. Quit trying to please everyone.

8. To quit or not to quit? That is your answer.

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

If you are trying to decide whether or not to quit or let go of something, someone, or of a situation:

1) Talk with a therapist or coach if you feel the need.

2) Get silent and look within.

3) Consider your options and notice how each one makes you feel. Your instincts will tell you what feels in alignment. Just like when you can feel your body isn’t in alignment and when it is.

4) Whatever you decide, know that you are making the right decision for you at the time, and you will deal with whatever comes next.

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please rate and review…if you liked it! 🙂 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and follow on Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy, email, nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

 

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Personal Growth Can Have Its Costs

Personal Growth Can Have Its Costs

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to talk about this week until I saw a post from Mel Robbins online. If you’re not familiar with her she’s a lawyer, TV host, author, and motivational speaker.  

Her post said, “8 important signs that mean you’re growing.” When I saw that, I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about.

I have been experiencing a lot of growth of late, and it has definitely been like throwing a rock in a lake and seeing the ripple effect. Some great, some not so great.

In this episode, I reflect on her 8 signs of growing and how they relate to my life. How growing has affected my relationships, the fear around growth and change for many of us, asking the question if it is also possible for someone to grow and not necessarily change and so much more. Come with me!

Not be missed take-ways:

1. If we don’t grow as a person, even later in life, we may as well hop into the casket and have them turn the crank six feet down.

2. Anyone can grow. Anyone can learn. This is a choice. To say we’re too old is a cop-out.

3. One of the worst things we can do is not grow as a human because we don’t want to rock the relationship boat. We cannot let the fear of causing waves prevent us from doing, learning, growing and being who we are.

4. It is hard when you no longer do the dance that others expect from you. It takes them off balance when they don’t know how to dance with you anymore.

5. Having the courage to seek, discover and accept your personal growth takes courage. It is not easy.

6. “The caterpillar never emerges from the chrysalis, but the butterfly does.” Martha Beck.

7. Is it possible for someone to grow and not necessarily change? I do believe the answer is a both/ AND. Our growth can cause us to change and then possibly cause a change in our relationship, AND I believe that we can grow and learn by changing certain behaviors without changing who we are as a person.

8. It’s never too late to be YOU. Unapologetically, unabashedly YOU!

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

1) Notice it/Name it/Reframe it!: In other words: Name what it is that is holding you back and then reframe it. For example: I’m afraid to grow. It could upset the people in my life. Reframe it!: Fear will keep me from being my authentic self. Growth can bring exciting opportunities and people who want to grow with me!

2) Think of one way you’d like to grow. Is it dealing with a relationship that isn’t serving you? Learning more about something? Trying a new activity?

3) Think of the first baby step you can take that will move you closer to it and do it! If you need help, contact me for a coaching session.

4) Please share with me what you do to inspire others!

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please rate and review…if you liked it! 🙂 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and follow on Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy, email, nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.

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Dr. Martha Jo Atkins: There’s More to Dying Than…

Dr. Martha Jo Atkins: There’s More to Dying Than Meets the Eye

Happy September everyone. I can’t believe we’re turning the corner to Fall and then the holidays already, again. The seasons we are falling into, pardon the pun, are of things dying annnnd recognizing the beauty that also surrounds it.

Finding beauty in dying is usually challenging. For most of my life I had total fear around it, which I think began when I was 13 when my great uncle passed away. It was my first experience with someone I was close with dying. He was bigger than life and everybody loved Uncle Sam. My family flew to Chicago to go to his funeral and we stayed in his home, which really spooked me at the time because all his things and medicine were in place as if he were still there. At the funeral they had his casket open and I’ll never forget how scared I was as I saw him under this red-ish light that was hanging above, and my grandfather loudly crying over his brother. It was the only time I had seen my grandpa cry.

Needless to say that left quite the impression on me with regard to death and dying. And not a good one.

Last year I happened to watch a TEDx talk on this topic with Dr. Martha Jo Atkins from 2013, which has over a million views. And when I heard her say, “When we educate families and the patient about the experiences of dying, there is less fear. And my goodness, we need less fear around death and dying” I grabbed my computer and wrote to ask her to be my guest on Loving Later Life. And I am so thrilled to tell you that she said yes!

Dr. Martha Jo Atkins, is a dog-loving, (Ph.D.) end-of-life licensed professional counselor and counselor supervisor (LPC-S), coach, speaker , doula and author. Dr. Atkins has a thirty-year career helping children and adults negotiate end-of-life and grief.

She is the founder of the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, served as Executive Director of Abode Contemplative Care for the Dying in San Antonio, and is the author of the book Signposts of Dying. She is the founder of Dying School, designed to build community while deepening conversations around end-of-life + aliveness.

Now don’t touch that dial! I can’t wait to share this conversation with you and I do believe that it will have you thinking a little differently about death and dying. And I really want to have her back because there is so much more I want to talk about with her that we just didn’t have time for.

So get comfy, and let’s let Martha Jo help us think about and talk about dying…

 

Not be missed take-ways:

1. You can’t feel fear when you are feeling love. It’s a practice.

2. Care less about what other people think.

3. Recognize the strength of your heart and body and how you need to take care of both of those.

4. You can’t make everybody happy.

5. Figuring out what your heart and body need sometimes requires hard choices out in the world.

6. Grief is a part of life.

7. Sometimes it’s hard to know what we need to do, what the next thing is. Instead of looking at the whole kit and kaboodle, find the next right thing that feels good, take a breath and take that step. That makes a life.

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

1) If you have fears and discomfort around dying, make an effort to learn more about it and share how you feel and talk with someone.

2) Check out Martha Jo’s videos, books, website and social media to help with this process:

Martha Jo TEDx

Facebook: marthajoatkins
Instagram: marthajoatkins
LinkedIn: Martha Jo Atkins

Website: marthajoatkins.com
Email: Martha@MarthaAtkins.com
Her book: Sign Posts of Dying
Her courses:
The Language of Dying: to be released October 15, 2022
Dying School: February 2023

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please…Rate and Review…if you liked it! 😊 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

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The Story of How Nancy Faced a Big Fear…

The Story of How Nancy Faced a 

Big Fear and Long-Time Mind-F*ck…

This episode is a follow-up to a story that began in Episode 2 of Loving Later Life. It’s the one about how I reached out to a jazz band about singing with them.

As I was getting my thoughts together about how best to share the experience of what happened, my mind went off on a creative tangent in a very different direction. This episode has turned into something that wasn’t at all planned and I decided why the hell not. So here it is! I’ve had so much fun putting this together and I think it’ll make you smile. Come join me!

Not be missed take-ways:

1. Acknowledge the inner critic’s voice so you can differentiate it from your own.

2. Our happy ending may not look like we expected it to look.

3. Face your fears, let go, and allow yourself to exhale into it and discover what you’re capable of doing.

4. Allow yourself to not be perfect and do it anyway.

5. To hell with what other people think. They won’t be on your death bed with you.

6. Our ego craves certainty, and our soul wants the unknown.

7. Be you. Do you. It. Is. Not. Too. Late…yet.

And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…

Email me a list of one or more things you have been afraid to do and tell me which one you’re going to take a step to do. Nancy@lovinglaterlife.com.  I’ll be waiting!!!

 

Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!

 

Download The First 5 Steps to Loving Later Life

Subscribe/Follow where you get your podcasts: 

And please…Rate and Review…if you liked it! 😊 A positive rating and review will help other women find us so they can become a part of our community.

It’d be great if you would like Loving Later Life on Facebook and Instagram!

Also: If you have a story you’d like to share for the podcast or have questions or comments for Nancy email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com

Last but not least: If you’d like to know more about having Nancy as a private coach, click here!

 

 

If you’d like to advertise with us, email nancy@lovinglaterlife.com