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Sky Bergman in her 3rd Act: Becoming a Filmmaker…

Sky Bergman in her 3rd Act: Becoming a Filmmaker of Lives Well Lived, and Author of Lives Well Lived—Generations
After a 30 Year Teaching Career

We are so fortunate to have Sky Bergman as our special guest on Loving Later Life. She is Professor Emeritus of Photography and Video at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her artwork is in prestigious museum collections, and her commercial work has appeared in renowned magazines like the Smithsonian.

Now in her third act after a 30-year teaching career, Sky felt pulled by her dreams and passions in the direction of being behind the lens of a different kind, motivated and inspired by the love of her Grandma who was turning 100.

She wanted to find other people like her grandmother who could be her role models for aging. Sky spent 4 years interviewing 40 ppl with a collective life experience of 3000 years and created the film Lives Well Lived currently on PBS, Amazon, and iTunes to name a few. Her goal was to discover their secret, and she found that they had 3 things in common, which she shares with us, and more!

You will feel incredibly positive about aging after watching her film. It has been so popular that she then wrote the book Lives Well Lived — GENERATIONS. The first half is about her experiences making the film and the lessons she learned. The second half is about the amazing people around the globe who are doing work connecting generations.

Sky’s passion is creating films and projects that inspire intergenerational connections, emphasizing the power of shared stories. And after listening to our conversation, you will feel the power of her story and very different about aging.

You can watch the Lives Well Lived film and get the book on the following platforms:

AMAZON:


iTUNES

KANOPY

PBS Passport

Buy the DVD on Amazon

Lives Well Lived–Generations book

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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MY WEEKEND THAT LED ME TO THE SOBERING FACTS…

MY WEEKEND THAT LED ME TO THE SOBERING FACTS ABOUT FEELING ALONE AND DISCONNECTED…

AND A SOLUTION FOR US ALL!

Welcome back to what could be called Season 3 of Loving Later Life!

I already have some awe-inspiring women guests lined up who will amaze and enlighten you, so be sure to follow Loving Later Life so you don’t miss anything.

This first episode is very special to me because I share with you a real time decision I’ve made as a result of a challenging time.

My decision is also one based on sobering facts from indisputable resources. It is something that I need, and based on the data, it is something we need as a group.

I hope you’ll join me by listening to this episode, and on this journey moving forward.

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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Do We Feel Satisfaction From Getting What We Desire,…

Do We Feel Satisfaction From Getting What We Desire, Or in the Longing For it?
And Do We Lose the Longing As We Get Older?

This week’s episode was inspired by a conversation with a dear friend as we were planning something special to do together, and it led me to some questions…

Is it the longing for what we desire that gives us satisfaction, or in getting it?

Do we lose the art of longing as we get older? If so, do we miss it?

What do you do when your partner is no longer interested in longing to do things, and you are?

Should we hope that we don’t actually get what we desire so that we don’t lose that sense of longing?

I’m longing to share my thoughts with you on all of this and I hope you’ll join me and share with others if you think it would resonate.

Not be missed take-ways…

—There is a certain reward in the longing. We all need something to look forward to. Just the thought of something fun ahead can make you feel better.

—And when it finally does happen, it’s the icing on the cake that we finally get to eat and savor and devour! 

—We can’t just give up and give in! We need to keep trying new things, meeting new people, and taking risks. We need to continue to do things that challenge us, excite us, scare us, and take us outside of our comfort zones. 

—If someone is not capable of showing you love the way you need and want it, or willing to make an effort for you and the relationship…it’s not too late to put yourself first, even if it means making scary changes. You are not too old!!!!

—Dare to be greedy. Find as many things as you can to look forward to and make them happen.

—Someday, is not on the calendar.

—What are you waiting for?

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

What is something you have said at least once, “Someday, I’m going to do that.” Or, “I wish I could _______, I’d really love to_______. Fill in those blanks and put whatever it is on the calendar!

Plan it. Revel in the longing for it to happen and enjoy every moment. Oh and please share with me so I can share what listeners are doing!!

And at the risk of sounding like a broken record: You’re not too old!



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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Moments of Connection That Are Impossible to Forget

Moments of Connection Are Crucial to Our Well-Being


Ideas for these episodes come from a variety of sources and at different times of the day and night. This one came flowing out of me from my personal experience, from a movie I love, and some hard facts. And I share all of it.

The moments in our lives when we meet, connect and share with someone create meaningful relationships that are not only etched in our hearts and minds, they also have a profound effect on our quality of life.

Based on research, the connection we feel for certain people and the relationships we have are crucial to our physical and psychological well-being.

After you listen, I believe you will be motivated to make time to create more meaningful relationships and spend more time (IRL) with those whom you feel safe, seen and supported.

I hope you’ll join me.


Not be missed take-ways:

  1. Before we develop relationships with others we feel a connection, and before we can have a healthy connection with someone else, the first and most important connection that will drive this train is the connection we have or don’t have with ourselves.

  2. Connections can be just as important to physical and mental health as exercise and healthy eating.

  3. Instant connections with people can make you feel happy, understood, and supported, and can lead to the development of lasting relationships. Social connections can also have psychological and physical health benefits.

  4. In the 86 year-long Harvard Study of Adult Development, people who lived longest, stay the healthiest, and are the happiest, were people who have more relationships with other people and warmer relationships with other people.

  5. Loneliness has been linked to an increase in heart attacks, stroke, (similar to that of light smoking or obesity), weaker immune systems and high blood pressure.

  6. More time spent on social media was associated with higher levels of loneliness, in particular for people who used social media as a means for maintaining relationships.

  7. Life is short, and when you do find those special people, as good ‘ol Ben Franklin said, don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow.

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

Enjoy the people with whom you feel safe, seen and supported. Don’t just connect virtually. There is no substitute for seeing them in real life.


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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Allie Hill: Author, Speaker, Coach Navigating Empty Nesting (and…

Allie Hill: Author, Speaker, Coach
Navigating Empty Nesting
(and Basically Any Life Changes!)

Today my guest is Allie Hill. Allie has been featured on national television, she’s a Certified Life Coach and speaker, and used her 15+ years’ experience as a journalist to author the book, The Girlfriend’s Guide to Empty Nesting.

At first when Allie first reached out to me, I thought that maybe the subject of navigating the changes in life when becoming an empty nester may not be applicable to you all. And I’m here to tell you that I was wrong!

I recently had a month filled with lots of people from my life coming to celebrate my mom and her artistic partner’s accomplishment of having their musical produced. There was so much love, support, and so many delicious hugs and conversations. And then it ended, and my ‘nest’ felt empty.

We all deal with so many changes in life. The emotions we feel and the skills needed to go through such changes are all very similar.

So without further adieu, let’s get into it!

Not be missed take-ways:

  1. When things happen to us that appear to be difficult and challenging it can be the inception of something so beautiful for ourselves and to help other people.

  2. Sometimes the things we want to happen right away are not meant to happen right away.

  3. Find the pause, the magic in the rest between the notes.

  4. Feel your feelings. Allow them to come up without resisting them. You’re not going to get stuck there. Everything is temporary, even the best of times.

  5. If you can have a little humor, curiosity and grace for yourself that will help navigate the tough times.

  6. Be open. You never know what’s going to come next. Pay attention to what sparks your interest. The world is your oyster. Be willing to try new things.

  7. Pay attention to what is calling you and how people and something makes you feel and follow it without any expectations.

  8. Having boundaries is super important. Have a conversation with your partner, your kids, or really anyone about what you need. They’re not mindreaders.

  9. We don’t see that what we’ve done before and do every day is a talent/skill because it’s what comes naturally to us. That’s where the gold is.

  10. Extend the same grace to yourself that you would to others.

  11. We learn when we ‘fail.’ Bring on the failures!

  12. This too shall pass.

  13. Focus on what’s working vs what’s not working. And focus on what you are grateful for at night.

  14. Look for the fun, for the joy. Even in the hard times you can find the flower that’s pushed up through the cracks in the sidewalk.

You can reach Allie at her website: alliehillcoaching.com

Or on Instagram and Facebook: AllieHillCoaching

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

If you’re going through a life change, whether it’s being an empty nester or something else, feel the feels, journal those feelings and what you’re grateful for, and then pause. Pause to allow creativity to play and show you the way to your next step. Trust this process. If you think a coach could help, Allie and I are both accepting new clients.


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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After an Emotional Month I Wonder: Is Life About…

After an Emotional Month I Wonder:
Is Life About the Big Moments or
The Moments In Between?

The past month has been one of a lot of feelings and experiences from one end of the spectrum to the other, some anticipated some not.

From the saddest moments to the most exciting. From feeling disconnected, irrelevant and sad to the point of my face breaking out (which nevvver happens) to feeling embraced by the most loving hugs; both literally and metaphorically.

It seems like it’s the big moments in life that attract most of our attention and anticipation. They are the times that embed themselves as memories in our mental film library.

There’s no question that our huge accomplishments are huge and important. AND, so are the moments in between that fill our hearts and life experience.

This got me thinking more about moments in between (the good ones of course)…an exercise I highly recommend doing.

Remembering past good in between moments also reminds you that you had them, even when perhaps there were other not such good things happening at the same time. And that can be true again.

Many of us are afraid that in later life there are to be fewer of these moments. And I say, if you believe that to be true, it will be. What do you choose to believe?

I hope you’ll join me to also hear which moments in between of mine came to mind.

Not be missed take-ways:

  1. If you want to see someone, or talk to someone, call them. Don’t wait for them to call you.

  2. If you want to see the ocean, the mountains, a sunset, a sunrise, do it.

  3. If you want more moments in between, notice them, create them, find them; they are waiting for you.

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

Pay attention to the moments in between and remember them…and keep creating new ones.


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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Two Women in their 80’s Have a Dream Come…

Two Women in their 80’s Have a Dream Come True
40 Years Later:
Their Original Musical About the Great French Actress Sarah Bernhardt is Being Produced!

Hello and welcome back to the 68th episode of Loving Later Life, and I have to say that you are in for such a very special treat. You’re about to hear a story proving the fact that it is never, ever too late to see your dreams come true.

This is a story of two incredible women in their 80’s…one of whom is my mother. It is a story of friendship, of courage, tenacity, resilience, love, and passion. It is a story that comes full circle spotlighting relationships, perseverance, and timing.

I am so excited to say that due to a change in their schedule while my mom was in town for a presentation they were doing about Sarah at Dominican University, I was able to grab them for 30 minutes for an impromptu recording at a small park sitting at a picnic table.

You all met my mom Elaine Lang Ockner in episode 35 of LLL and if you haven’t listened to it yet, you must check it out after you listen to this episode.

She is is a pianist/composer, and Musical Director. She has composed the music for many musical stage productions and created original music for Bravo’s TV documentaries on the lives of Sarah Brightman, Jackie Chan and Nathan Lane. She was also pianist and Musical Director for Princess Cruises, Royal Viking, and Sitmar Cruise Lines.

My mom met June Richards in 1979. June is a professional actress, theatre director and emeritus professor. June created theatre programs for Dominican University, Contra Costa College, and served as Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at San Diego City College, and has directed more than 100 productions.

Since they met, they’ve been dear friends and artistic partners. Over the years their collaboration created many theatrical projects and wacky adventures behind the scenes.

As single mothers they persisted even as they experienced heartache and sadness with relationships and loss of loved ones; choosing not to be taken down but instead to focus on their creative passion.

One constant thread in the quilt of their creations was a musical they wrote in the 1980’s of the story of Sarah Bernhardt, the renowned French actress who also defied the odds and never gave up.

Fast forward 40+ years later to right now, their musical “The Divine Sarah” has been selected out of over 40 submissions of new works by the Ross Valley Players in Marin County, California to be produced this month, March 2024.

Ironically, 100 years after Sarah’s death, Paris recently had a Sarah Bernhardt exhibition. Vogue magazine had a spread, and Barbra Streisand is a super fan, talking about Sarah in her new book. (And if you’re listening Ms. Barbra, there is a ticket waiting for you at the theatre!)

Loving Later Life listeners, if you want to be moved and inspired, you must listen to these women tell their story. Annnd, be sure to listen all the way through because I got special permission to share with you a one-minute sneak preview of one of the songs played by my mom, the composer, Elaine Lang Ockner.

So now, picture if you will, I’m sitting at a picnic table with these two beautiful and talented women in the warm sun, birds chirping, (the occasional car driving by), and my phone resting on the table to record their incredible story….

Not be missed take-ways:

  1. It’s not too late to pursue your dreams, whether you’re 60, 70, or 80+!

  2. Trust how things work out. Sometimes it’s just not the right time.

  3. Ask for and accept support from others.

  4. Exciting things happen in later life when you are a willing participant!

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

Come see the show if at all possible, and at the very least, go after your dreams! It’s not too late!

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 My Son’s Surgery to Remove a Tumor Confirmed…

How My Son’s Surgery to Remove a Tumor Confirmed
We Can Learn From the Younger Generation


In this episode you will hear how my son’s mindset, humor and radical acceptance got him through not one but two potential life threatening events. I actually considered dropping the idea entirely of staying on schedule for this episode simply because I wasn’t able to have one prepared as my focus has not been on loving later life…literally.

However, I think that on some level I knew I would feel the need to debrief after this experience…even if it meant it wasn’t as perfect as I could make it. I think I also knew on some level that there would be some important take-away’s that I would want to share with you since we all at some point or another go through difficult times.

I deeply believe that sharing our stories and vulnerabilities opens the door for others to do the same. Please join me.

Not be missed take-ways:

  1. Ageism works both ways, and it is equally wrong.

  2. Though we often can’t control a situation we are facing, we can accept it and we CAN control how we look at it, and what we do with it.

  3. It takes pushing to make a tree strong enough to keep growing.

  4. It was not in spite of the adversity they survive, but it is because of it, that they thrive. We can turn adversity into something beautiful and wonderful.

  5. Sharing our stories and vulnerabilities opens the door for others to do the same.

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

Join me in working on accepting the things we cannot change with the mindset that we can do what we need to do when we need to do it. Acknowledge and fully embrace all the goodness that there is and make the very most of it. Love, allow love in, and search out those who lift you up and appreciate you for who you are.


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 a Sense of Community and a Keychain Made…

How a Sense of Community and a Keychain Made a Magical Weekend

How a Sense of Community and a Keychain Made a Magical Weekend…and inspired this episode.

For those of you who listen regularly to Loving Later Life know that there was no episode last week as I prepared to go across the country for a workshop. I’m here to tell you that it was an incredible growth experience with many exciting take-aways, some of which I will share another time because there’s still so much I’m processing.  

The experiences I share in this episode include spontaneous adventures, realizations, and stories of the welcoming people in a town I’d never heard of, which culminate in two reminders that seemingly don’t go together; and also must.  I hope you’ll come along with me for the ride!

Not be missed take-ways:

1. Say yes to an adventure. Especially if it takes you out of your comfort zone.

2. Trust the process. When things don’t go according to plan, it can be exciting.

3. Check out Portsmouth New Hampshire

4. Packing light is overrated!

5. You are the one you’ve been waiting for.

6. Feeling a part of a community is crucial.

7. Trust the process.

8. Trust yourself.

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

1) Try doing something out of your ordinary routine/schedule. Change it up! Drive a different way home. Walk some place new. Go someplace new. Try something new. Your perspective will change for the better.

 

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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Carole Montgomery: Veteran of the Stand-up Comedy Scene Nationwide

Carole Montgomery:
Veteran of the Stand-Up Comedy Scene Nationwide

Do I have a guest for you! Back in April, I went to see a show called Funny Women of a Certain Age. I hadn’t been to a show for well over two years and when I heard that a show called “Funny Women of a Certain Age” was fifteen minutes from me, I knew I had to go. Not only did I laugh until I cried, which I desperately needed, I also left with tears of inspiration when Carole Montgomery the creator, ended the show saying to a predominantly female audience, it’s never too late to do anything. I knew then that I had to reach out and ask her to be a guest on Loving Later Life. And so I did! And here we are! You see, it never hurts to ask!

Carole Montgomery is a respected veteran of the stand-up scene nationwide. She has over two dozen TV credits, has headlined clubs across the U.S., starred in two Las Vegas production shows, did eleven comedy tours with Armed Forces Entertainment, and has been a featured performer for Montreal Just for Laughs and Boston and New York Comedy Festivals.

Carole is also a director and producer. In 2017 she created the live stand-up comedy show Funny Women of a Certain Age which premiered on Showtime and became the network’s highest rated comedy special for 2019 making TV history as the first comedy special to feature six women over the age of 50! In addition to her hilarious self, Carole has brought to the show some of the most respected names in comedy including Fran Drescher, Janeane Garofalo, Caroline Rhea, Teri Hatcher, Julia Scotti and many more.

In this episode, Carole openly shares the funny, touching, jaw dropping stories of her career. Don Rickles gave her the ultimate compliment of dissing her. Richard Pryor brought her to tears in the best of ways. Her stories of how she has faced ageism, sexism, and how she continues to persevere are compelling. Carole is still going strong at 64 years old bringing laughter to audiences across the country.

Needless to say, I am thrilled to have her as my guest, and I have to tell you, it was so much fun! Enjoy!

Not be missed take-ways:

1. If you throw enough shit on the wall something’s gonna stick.

2. You can’t be afraid of asking. It never hurts to ask.

3. Don’t take things personally.

4. Be kind to people. Treat people well.

5. It’s never too late to do anything.

6. Funny never gets old.

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

1) Stop to compliment someone or do something nice for someone whether you know them or not. It’ll make their day, and yours.

2) Laugh. There is so much stress in our lives and in our world, go out of your way to search for a way to laugh. Maybe it’s a comedy show. Maybe it’s watching funny videos online, being with friends who make you laugh, or going to Showtime and watching Funny Women of a Certain Age! Laughter is medicine for your soul.

3) Share this episode with someone that you feel would enjoy it!

–Follow Carole on Instagram @carolemontgomerycomic 

–Follow on Facebook: Carole Montgomery comedian 

–Follow Carole on Twitter: @nationalmom

To find out more about Carole and Funny Women of a Certain Age:

www.carolemontgomery.com

www.funnywomenofacertainage.com

www.funnynevergetsold.com


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