Living Your Sparked Second Half Laurie Wright

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            
 
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.

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           
 
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.

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          

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.

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:

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.
 

EP378: This episode is a continuation (Part 2) of my interview with Marie Burns, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the topic of money mindset and management, making this episode and the previous one must-listen conversations for anyone looking to take charge of their financial future. (To listen to Part 1, CLICK HERE.)
In this episode, Marie emphasizes the importance of having all your financial documents updated and organized, and she sheds light on how this simple yet crucial step can have a significant impact on your financial well-being.
We talk about:
The essential steps for getting your financial house in order and the significance of financial planning for the future.
The things you don’t get told before you die that can end up being a nightmare for your loved ones.
The beneficiary mistake that many make.
A practical three-step change strategy for transforming your life when it comes to money.
By the time you’ve finished listening, you'll have gained valuable takeaways and actionable advice to help get you started on building a brighter financial future. Whether you're starting your journey toward financial security or looking to enhance your current financial strategy, this 2 part interview is sure to provide you with the guidance you need.
Thank you for joining us in this enlightening conversation about a serious topic with Marie Burns. Let it inspire you to take action to continue learning and be more aware of and adjust your mindset appropriately so that the result of your efforts is a more financially secure future.
Other ways to find and connect with Marie are:
Website: http://www.mindmoneymotion.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindMoneyMotion Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burnsmarie/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqmu7L12of16FlUNHaiy4-g? Podcast: https://mindmoneymotion.com/mmm-podcast/ 
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) the podcast (if you haven't already) 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.

EP377: Today’s guest is Marie Burns, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with nearly 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Marie's journey has taken her through various roles, from a bank setting to working at Vanguard, and now as the founder of her independent advisory practice in Phoenix.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is actively involved in promoting financial awareness and literacy, serving as a volunteer ambassador and board member for The Financial Awareness Foundation and as a board member for the Senior Advocacy Group of Ahwatukee. 
Our conversation ended up being so in-depth and enlightening that I didn’t want to stop so we kept talking and turned it into two podcast episodes. This is Part 1 where we go in-depth about money mindset with topics like: 
Money mindset: Understanding how our attitudes and behaviors about spending and saving money are rooted in past experiences.
Marie’s and Laurie’s personal experiences as examples for how our current money mindset and habits have been shaped by our past.
The role of awareness in creating a better money mindset that will increase your financial well-being and improve decision-making.
Marie’s take on the three types of couples from a financial standpoint.
Throughout our conversation, Marie highlights the importance of understanding your money personality and having an awareness of your money thoughts and behaviors because these factors are key in gaining the clarity you need to cultivate a positive relationship with money. 
To continue listening to the rest of our conversation, CLICK HERE for Part 2!
Other ways to find and connect with Marie are:
Website: http://www.mindmoneymotion.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindMoneyMotion Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burnsmarie/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqmu7L12of16FlUNHaiy4-g? Podcast: https://mindmoneymotion.com/mmm-podcast/ 
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) the podcast (if you haven't already) 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.