Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

Gail Zelitzky and Catherine Marienau
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Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined challenges outdated narratives about aging and celebrates what’s possible in later life. Through thoughtful conversations, personal reflections, and honest storytelling, the podcast explores creativity, purpose, resilience, and reinvention after 70. Each episode features real voices and lived experience, offering insight and inspiration for navigating this stage of life with curiosity and intention. This podcast is for women who refuse to be invisible, who are open to growth and change, and who believe aging can be a time of meaning, connection, and possibility.

  1. 4D AGO

    374 Phyllis Mitzen: A Lifetime of Leadership in Aging

    At 84, Phyllis Mitzen is still reshaping how communities care for older adults — with curiosity, courage and a fierce commitment to action. Phyllis spent 24 years at CJE Senior Life (formerly Council on Jewish Elderly) and went on to consult with Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. She was proud to be awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from both Illinois and the National Association of Social Work. Phyllis serves on state and city Advisory Committees, and is currently active in the new Multi-Sector Plan on Aging, recognizing that without implementation its benefits will not be felt in Illinois. She reminds us that, equally important, the IL Dept on Aging, with 13 area agencies, depends on funding from the Older Americans Act. While it is reauthorized every 3 years, its funding is currently stalled with funding remaining at levels inadequate to meet growing needs. Phyllis’ contribution to the Villages movement, specifically Skyline Village, has led to a consortium of 8 Villages in the Chicago Metro area. Many of these non-profit organizations have received Dementia Friendly designations, and are moving Chicago towards designation as a Dementia-Friendly city. These Dementia Friendly communities support, include, and empower people living with dementia, ensuring they can participate fully in social, cultural, and civic life. Why listen: Whether you work in aging services, advocate for policy change, or care for an aging loved one, Phyllis’s practical wisdom, grassroots solutions, and insistence on turning plans into practice offer both inspiration and concrete next steps. “It’s not the creation of the plan - it’s the implementation that brings it alive.” - Phyllis Mitzen CONNECT WITH PHYLLIS: Email: phyllis.mitzen@gmail.com And thank you to our sponsor, Women’s Connection, a nonprofit women’s group with chapters around the country. Members are vibrant, accomplished women, age 50 and forward, who connect around common interests, empower each other to thrive, and stick together as they travel through the stuff of life, no matter what comes their way. Women Over 70 is proud to be part of the Age-Wise Collective, a group of women podcasters championing pro-aging voices. This week we shine the light on award-winning author, Jane Leder. Jane and guest dive into the joy and challenges of being an older woman. Her podcast is Older Women & Friends: Stories of Aging Well.

    34 min

  2. MAR 25

    Mariann Aalda: Becoming ‘age-full’: Snapping out of internalized ageism

    Mariann Aalda—actor, hypnotherapist, and joyful “pro-aging evangelist”—invites us to rethink what it means to grow older. She interrogates ageism, asking“ Why should youth get all the good press?” And declares, “My vibrancy and vitality are due to my being Age-full, not Youth-full!” Drawing on a 30-year television career and her work in hypnotherapy and neurolinguistic programming (NLP), Mariann explores how language shapes our inner lives—“the words we use become internalized and we behave accordingly.” Today, through stand-up and solo performance, she shares her authentic self with candor and humor, encouraging women to pursue their dreams and “use our time wisely with curiosity, creativity, and joy.” “I’m not an older version of myself—I’m the Newest Model.” - Mariann Aalda Connect with Mariann Email: mariannaalda@aol.com Aging Shamelessly https://www.mariannaaldainherprime.com ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our Sponsor: Plymouth Place in LaGrange Park, IL. has redefined senior living with options and opportunities to fit individual needs and preferences. From well-designed residences to fitness and wellness classes to social gatherings, arts experiences and care services – this is a place to thrive. As an entrance-fee based Life Plan community, Plymouth Place offers a full continuum of care including residential living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehab – all conveniently on one campus. www.Plymouthplace.org Age-Wise Collective: Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined connects with other women podcasters to shine the light on remarkable women in mid-life and beyond. We recognize Jane Leder, host of Older Women and Friends: Stories of Aging Well, whose guests take a deep dive into the joys and challenges of being an older woman. Older women know a thing or two about living with a keen sense of wonder and an abiding appreciation for the gift of longevity. The second wave of the journey has just begun. https://janeleder.net https://www.youtube.com/@olderwomenandfriends https://www.instagram.com/older_women_and_friends_/

    29 min

  3. MAR 18

    371 Sandra Taenzer: Leading the Way In Early Childhood Special Education

    At 86, Sandra “Sandy” Taenzer reflects on a lifetime of innovation in Early Childhood–Special Education that began in the 1960s in Germany and still resonates today. Working in a large Illinois School District, Sandy helped initiate early childhood special education through a Federal “First Chance Grant” in 1972. She and a multi-disciplinary team championed “natural, play-based assessment and play as the basis for early learning” She also pioneered collaborative partnerships with school districts and agencies, building interdisciplinary teams to serve children and families more holistically. Since moving to Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior in 2004, Sandy has become affectionately known as “Grandma Sandy,” volunteering through home visits, childcare centers, and one-on-one mentoring. Active with Arrowhead Indivisible, she speaks publicly about the Holocaust, sharing stories she heard firsthand from an older neighbor while living in Germany in her early twenties. Sandy warns that she now sees troubling parallels in today’s America. "I’ve been an activist all my life, working to ensure that every child has the chance to be their best self." - Sandra Taenzer Connect with Sandy Email: sft020939@gmail.com Learn more about Sandy’s ground-breaking work. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library--Oral History Interview - Educational Reform Act 1985 Sandra Taen zer https://presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/oral-history/collections/taenzer-sandra/interview-detail/ Thanking Our Sponsor: Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, IL. Discover the extraordinary at Plymouth Place—a vibrant community designed for active adults. Elevate your retirement living experience with tailored independent options, premier amenities, and a full continuum of care. Explore diverse living choices and embrace the joy of a life well-lived. http://plymouthplace.org Recognizing the Age--Wise Collective: Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined has joined other women podcasters to amplify the voices of women over 50. We shine the light on gerontologist Sally Duplantier, founder and host of My Zing Life, dedicated to helping older adults live their best lives longer. Her current Healthspan work focuses on improving health behaviors and mental well-being for vulnerable populations through community-based health coaching. https://sally@myzinglife.com

    30 min

  4. MAR 11

    371 Karen Olson: An Undying Passion for Helping the Homeless

    Some people discover their purpose early in life. For Karen Olson, 81, that moment came at age 18 when she offered a simple sandwich to a homeless woman outside a New York train station. Decades later, after retiring from her marketing career, she revisited that memory—and learned that nearly 35% of people experiencing homelessness are families. That realization sparked the beginnings of Family Promise. In her book, Meant for More: Follow Your Heart and Find Your Purpose, Karen shares how Family Promise grew from a compassionate idea into a nationwide organization helping families return to independence. Through transitional shelter, counseling, education, and job resources—supported by partnerships with local congregations and community organizations—Family Promise ensures that parents preserve their dignity and children remain in school during times of crisis. An unfortunate accident during a cryotherapy session left Karen wheelchair‑bound, but it has not diminished her determination to combat poverty and homelessness. Her work continues to inspire thousands of volunteers and families across the country. ";Passion First. Plan. Persistence-this is the way to make change happen." CONNECT WITH KAREN: Email: kolson110@comcast.net Book: Meant for More: Follow Your Heart and Find Your Purpose Website: https://familypromise.org/what-we-do/programs-services/

    28 min

  5. MAR 3

    370 Ilana Landsberg Lewis: Across cultures, older women bring social change and justice to human family

    Ilana Landsberg-Lewis went to law school to understand how power works—so she could help transform it in the service of justice, especially for women. Alongside her father, she co-founded and led a nonprofit funding community-based organization in sub-Saharan Africa working to turn the tide of AIDS and support African grandmothers raising a generation of grandchildren orphaned by the pandemic. When others dismissed older women as “not a sustainable investment,” Ilana helped launch an international movement of grandmothers across Canada, the UK, and the United States—raising more than $50 million and supporting millions of grandchildren. At the center of this work is her unwavering belief that older women are not only caregivers, but leaders, change-makers, and moral anchors for their communities. Through her podcast and fund, Ilana lifts up older women’s stories and their power-- a practice of love and a commitment to liberation—from the chains of inequality and from the limits placed on whose lives are valued. Her work invites us to see the human family more fully, and to recognize older women as essential architects of justice across the globe. Connect with Ilana Email:grandmothersonthemove@gmail.com Website: wisdomatworkpodcast.com Thank you to our SPONSOR—AARP Illinois, dedicated to empowering adults 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP Illinois advocates for the health, financial security, and overall well-being of Illinois residents through community programs, expert resources, and member benefits. aarpil@aarp.org Recognizing the Age-Wise Collective. Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined has joined other women podcasters to amplify the voices of women over 50. We shine the light on gerontologist Sally Duplantier, founder and host of My Zing Life, dedicated to helping older adults live their best lives longer. Her current Healthspan work focuses on improving health behaviors and mental well-being for vulnerable populations through community-based health coaching. https://sally@myzinglife.com

    32 min

  6. FEB 24

    Arlene Bomer: Living a Life of Adventure with Purpose

    At 75, Arlene Borner may not be running marathons, but she is still running—and skiing on snow and water and playing pickleball. She may no longer be teaching children how to swim or speak English in places like Sweden or Bangladesh, but she is teaching future teachers at her local college how to help students find their voice through service learning. Arlene’s purpose continues to be shaped by her love of adventure, movement, and staying open to where life might lead next. She rides her own Harley Davidson, touring the countryside alongside her husband of 55 years. Her commitments also include five grandchildren who, following in her example, “pursue their passions and don’t quit.” As she reflects on growing older, Arlene says, “I don’t love aging, but I work hard to have a positive mindset and guard against deficit thinking.” "Purpose changes yet it doesn’t, influenced by life choices. Discovering your real purpose might just come from sticking your neck out." - Arlene Borner Connect with Arlene Email: arleneborner@gmail.com Thanking Our Sponsor—-Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, IL. Discover the extraordinary at Plymouth Place—a vibrant community designed for active adults. Elevate your retirement living experience with tailored independent options, premier amenities, and a full continuum of care. Explore diverse living choices and embrace the joy of a life well-lived. http://plymouthplace.org Recognizing the Age-Wise Collective Women Over 70 is a proud member of the Age-Wise Collective, comprised of women-led podcasts for women 50+, featuring women’s stories and addressing topics that promote the pro-aging movement. MEET: Sally Duplantier, gerontologist and founder of My Zing Life, whose mission is to help older adults live their best lives longer. Sally hosts Wellness Wednesday, an online program featuring cutting-edge researchers, best-selling authors, and health professionals. https://myzinglife.com

    27 min

  7. FEB 17

    368 Diane Heiler: Once a Divorcee, Once a Widow — Now a Partner Re‑Engaged in Life

    Diane Heiler shares her deeply moving journey of caring for her husband during his 20‑month “death sentence” from an incurable disease — a journey she chronicles with raw honesty and artistry in her memoir, A Widow’s Fire: An Intimate Memoir of Heartbreak, Survival, and Moving On. With poetry and art as lifelong companions, Diane turned to daily journaling to navigate the relentless progression of her husband’s illness. Out of that quiet practice, poetry emerged — a lifeline and a mirror to her grief. In her poem See Me, she writes: See me… standing here with my broken heart in my hand… blowing kisses into the air and sending love up into the heavens… so far from where I am. After his passing, Diane retreated to her mountaintop home in North Carolina, seeking solitude in her sorrow. Months later, at her sister’s urging, she reluctantly attended a country club dance — and unexpectedly, a new chapter began. From her poem My Christmas Blessing: I have been blessed with the presence of living in the light of someone special. He is gone from me now. But the afterglow of his goodness and his love is still shining through the windows in his heart and gracing my existence. I follow a light in the pathway he has drawn for me and see that in his wisdom he wants me to be safe, happy, and fulfilled. I am blessed. Diane’s story reminds us that love continues in many forms — and that healing often begins in the most unexpected moments. “We stay true to ourselves even when others unfairly judge us.” - Diane Heiler CONNECT WITH DIANE: Email: misspriss12923@me.com Book: A Widow’s Fire: An Intimate Memoir of Heartbreak, Survival, and Moving On. Acknowledgments Plymouth Place: Thanks to our Sponsor, Plymouth Place in LaGrange Park IL where senior living is redefined with options and opportunities to fit individual needs and preferences. Age-Wise Collective: Women Over 70 is proud to share the spotlight with Gerontologist Sally Duplantier, host of Wellness Wednesdays. These free and recorded webinars feature experts on topics about healthy aging. Visit MyZingLife.com to learn more.

    26 min

  8. FEB 10

    Patricia Koko: Turning Ideas into Services with Lasting Impact

    When Patricia (Pat) Koko, age 82, reflects on her life’s work as a young homemaker turned consummate volunteer and community change-maker, she often says things like, “that was kind of fun,” or “there just was a need”—-simple phrases that belie an extraordinary legacy. Driven by a lifelong love for older people, Pat has spent more than 50 years helping to create, grow, and sustain programs and services that support older adults. What began as local, grassroots efforts in and around Oak Park, IL, evolved into initiatives that attracted state and federal funding and ultimately became models for nationwide programs serving older adults. Pat’s impact continues today. In addition to being a volunteer extraordinaire, she is the owner of RBC Jewelry Designs, where she creates stunning gemstone pieces—many of which she generously donates to fundraisers benefiting older adults. "The services I helped create many decades ago are enduring and robust, and I’m still here to help where help is needed." - Patricia Koko Connect with Pat Email: patriciakoko@hotmail.com Pat Koko: for 50 years, a volunteer extraordinaire in & around Oak Park - Inside Edge PR Thanking Our Sponsor—-Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, IL. Discover the extraordinary at Plymouth Place—a vibrant community designed for active adults. Elevate your retirement living experience with tailored independent options, premier amenities, and a full continuum of care. Explore diverse living choices and embrace the joy of a life well-lived. http://plymouthplace.org Recognizing the Age-Wise Collective Women Over 70 is a proud member of the Age-Wise Collective, comprised of women-led podcasts for women 50+, featuring women’s stories and addressing topics that promote the pro-aging movement. MEET: Sally Duplantier, gerontologist and founder of My Zing Life, who’s mission is to help older adults live their best lives longer. Sally hosts Wellness Wednesday, an online program featuring cutting-edge researchers, best-selling authors, and health professionals. https://myzinglife.com

    27 min
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4.7
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined challenges outdated narratives about aging and celebrates what’s possible in later life. Through thoughtful conversations, personal reflections, and honest storytelling, the podcast explores creativity, purpose, resilience, and reinvention after 70. Each episode features real voices and lived experience, offering insight and inspiration for navigating this stage of life with curiosity and intention. This podcast is for women who refuse to be invisible, who are open to growth and change, and who believe aging can be a time of meaning, connection, and possibility.

Information

  • Creator
    Gail Zelitzky and Catherine Marienau
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    296
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined
  • Show Website
    Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

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