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Conversations about midlife, life and career transitions, and all the fabulous ways we can get better as we get older. Hosted by Lou Blaser. About The Host: Lou Blaser is a former corporate ladder climber turned writer and podcaster. She writes the weekly publication "We're All Getting Older" and is the author of Break Free: The Courage to Reinvent Yourself and Your Career.
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More than 50% of American families have a loved one or close relative who is an addict or alcoholic. Although there are ample resources to help these individuals recover, their families suffer, too. Parents, spouses, children, and friends need help navigating this unexpected, challenging disease. Welcome to Voices InCourage with KL Wells. She brings together loved ones and family members of addicts and alcoholics. Their insights and perspectives create a community of healing, connecting, and ...
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I'm joined by Jen Berlingo, author of Midlife Emergence, to discuss the transformative journey of midlife. We explore the concept of emergence as a positive reframe of the midlife crisis, emphasizing the opportunity to unveil one's authentic self. Jen discusses the second individuation process, the challenges of embracing change while managing life…
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When we are in the throes of a loved one’s addiction, change can be one of the biggest obstacles that lies in the way of allowing ourselves to thrive. In today’s episode, KL Wells shares her journey of learning how critical role the brain plays in embracing real change. She shares her most unexpected lesson in dealing with her own son’s addiction s…
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"A lot of people get old because they think they're supposed to." Former award-winning television journalist and Emmy-Award-winning producer/writer/director Paul Long shares his midlife career transitions and his "new way forward" — one that is ideal for him, that takes advantage of the new realities of longevity and the new phase of life he calls …
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In today’s Voices InCourage episode, we feature Jen Lee Hirst, a dynamic full-time working mom of two and a sobriety coach on a mission to empower women to boost confidence through a life without alcohol. Jen's journey is nothing short of inspiring – from facing two DUIs and battling intense anxiety to the point of drinking mouthwash, she found her…
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How do you prepare to leave a job or career that you love? Merle Saferstein is an educator, speaker, author, and a pioneer in legacy journaling. After twenty-six years as a Holocaust educator, where she worked with hundreds of Holocaust survivors, helping them to leave their legacy, she retired and created Living and Leaving Your Legacy®. In this e…
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Embracing our emotions has incredible healing power, yet can be one of the hardest acts to accept. It doesn’t have to be that way. Meet Cerita Yvonne, trauma coach and therapist, who guides us through the process of acknowledging the validity of our emotions and embracing forgiveness in the healing process from emotional trauma. Cerita shares her r…
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Vivek Chakrabortty, CEO and Founder of The Kavi Group, a crisis management and business continuity consulting firm, "worked on himself" for years, combining influences from Catholicism, Stoicism, Vedanta, Buddhism, and mindfulness, to come up with his own 3-step philosophy for managing and mastering himself. In this episode, he walks us through eac…
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Growing up with alcoholism in the family creates a storm many families cannot weather alone. Join us with the author of Chaos to Clarity, Marci Hopkins, who shares her story from being raised by an alcoholic mother to the chaos and clarity she found in her journey of recovery. She gives us an honest account as she recalls the effects of childhood a…
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A quick episode to share some big news in my world and riff on the topic of change — whether or not we actually hate change. (Spoiler alert: I don't think we do, actually.) FOOTNOTES We're All Getting Older (and why I'm changing names) Hop on the WAGO wagon ------------ Connect with Lou Blaser on LinkedIn Subscribe to We're All Getting Older, a wee…
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Relapse is a part of the majority of an addict's journey. KL Wells opens up about her son’s relapse and how she went months with no contact. She advocates for elevating oneself above the chaos and challenges us to redefine the way we navigate life. Join her as she delves into the concept of avoiding the rabbit hole and reclaiming control over one's…
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Do we stop being ambitious as we get older? What happens to the drive we've always had once we retire? In this episode of Second Breaks, I explore ambition with Kathy Oneto, the founder of Sustainable Ambition and host of The Sustainable Ambition podcast. Kathy shares the results of her research and insights from numerous interviews on this topic. …
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Experience a transformative conversation with Susan Bartz Herrick in today's episode that dives into the heartbreaking loss of her son to opioid addiction. Susan explores the 13 precursors to addiction and the profound insights into the 3 C's – cause, control, and cure – that shaped her own experiences in understanding her son's disease. Her story …
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In this podcast episode, I am joined by Dr. Kathy Zhang, a physician specializing in hospice and palliative care. I follow Kathy on LinkedIn, where she regularly posts wisdom that she's gained from speaking with thousands of people in the last moments of their lives. One specific post caught my attention, and I thought the points she shared were br…
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In today’s episode, we have author, podcast host, speaker, and grief therapist Claire Bidwell Smith – a resilient woman who weathered the storm of losing both parents to cancer at a young age. Claire witnessed the loss of her mother during her freshman year of college, only later to face the death of her father senior year. With a compelling narrat…
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Happy New Year, my dear listener friend! I'm more excited than ever to tackle my life and work goals this year. 2023 ended up being about clarifying direction and intentions — although I didn’t know that back in January 2023! As I welcome 2024, I can feel the difference. I have a better understanding of where I want to move toward and a clearer pat…
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Life is a whirlwind, especially when you're a parent facing the challenges of your child’s addiction and alcoholism. But guess what? Those challenges don't define you. Embrace "The Power of Optimism" with Dr. Kate Lund as we navigate the art of seeing the positive outside of life's challenges. Learn how to foster change from the inside out and disc…
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For the last three years, I've been capturing key takeaways from the year that's about to end. I only regret not starting this practice earlier; it's a powerful way to gain wisdom from our experiences. So, as we wrap up 2023, I'm excited to share with you some personal insights and lessons I've gathered this year. I would love to hear about your ke…
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As we navigate this year’s holiday season, Dr. Bill Crawford is back in today’s episode to share practical strategies to redefine our experience using his 5-Step Model for clarity, confidence, and purpose. In this episode, Dr. Crawford illuminates how these principles can transform our encounters, urging us to create the magic within ourselves rath…
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One of the things I’ve been reflecting on more and more is my personal growth in midlife and this stage in my life. In the book that I’m writing, there’s an entire chapter on what it means to continue to grow as we get older. So, of course, I wanted to have a chat about this topic with my good friend and frequent collaborator, Yvonne Marchese, who …
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Did you know it takes at least 9 months for a brain to recover from prolonged substance abuse? Addiction is often a complex web of genetics, environment, and psychological factors. In this vulnerable episode, KL and Tucker share their personal insights and experiences as they dive deep into the mind of an addictive brain and explore the profound ho…
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Dr. Lynyetta Willis, a trauma survivor, shares her inspiring insights of personal transformation in five key areas she calls "PATHS”: Perspective, Awareness, Tools, Healing, and Self-Empowerment. Dr. Willis challenges us to explore the stories we tell ourselves. What narratives have shaped our lives, and how can we shift our perspective? Finally, D…
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I'm excited to introduce a new format for this episode, "Dear Lou", where I'll be sharing questions from listeners or readers of Midlife Cues, as well as my responses. Our first 'Dear Lou' episode takes us into a story about the complexities of transitioning from a demanding career to retirement. I recently received an email from a listener about h…
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In the turbulent landscape of addiction, anger often emerges as an unwelcome companion. In this gripping podcast episode, host KL takes you on a deeply personal journey of transformation, where compassion triumphs over fury. KL divulges her own process of learning to let go of anger's tight grip, revealing how even the briefest moments of fury can …
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"An unexamined life is not worth living." The famous quote has been attributed to Socrates, the person that many believe valued the pursuit of wisdom more than anyone else in history. With this quote, Socrates implied that examining and understanding our lives is of utmost importance — essentially, for us to have the wisdom about ourselves and the …
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Prepare for a podcast episode that may well be the most profound and impactful from Voices InCourage. Whether you've grappled with the loss of a child to addiction or are simply a concerned parent navigating your child's substance use, this episode is for you. Jim Horton's courageous vulnerability touches the core of every parent as he shares his i…
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"My entire profession changed drastically from one day to the other. And I started feeling like I didn't know where I fit anymore. I didn't know what I'm good at anymore." Roberto Seif is a former innovation strategist who experienced forced retirement from his corporate career. Roberto's story is not uncommon in today's world, where companies freq…
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In this episode of Voices InCourage, we welcome Robin Detmer, a woman whose life is a testament to love, resilience, and transformation. A physical therapist, mother, published author, and shamanic medicine mesa carrier, Robin's story is as captivating as it is inspiring. Born and raised in the wilds of Belize, her life was marked by natural disast…
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If you've ever welcomed a loved one back after their release from prison, you understand the rollercoaster of emotions that ride alongside. In today's engaging podcast episode, KL reconnects with Jeannie, a mother who has recently welcomed her son back into her life following his battle with addiction and prison release. Together, they explore the …
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In my younger years, I used to measure success based on external and quantifiable metrics. Job promotions, titles, salary, and material possessions were the yardsticks I used to gauge my achievements. However, as I've grown older and retired from my corporate career, my perspective on success has shifted. In this episode, I discuss the six common e…
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This is a story of empathy, understanding, and unwavering love with Jan Salisbury, whose daughter is a recovering alcoholic of 18 years. Learn as we explore how every individual's chemistry is different and how becoming aware of these differences can be the first step toward support. We unveil the concept of being emotionally detached without casti…
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If you ever thought that if you were set financially and money was no issue, you would retire immediately and just enjoy life, you might want to listen to this episode. I had the pleasure of chatting with Luke Mathers, a two-time retiree and successful entrepreneur. Luke shares his experience of retiring at a young age, after selling his lucrative …
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Join us for an emotionally charged episode that dives deep into the raw realities of love and crisis. VIC’s CEO KL Wells' world shattered as her beloved son, Sam, fell into the grip of drug psychosis, and was taken to jail right before her eyes. But within the shadows of despair emerged an unexpected glimmer of hope in the form of Grace Burkhart, w…
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In this episode, we discuss the key themes and characteristics of modern retirement, as well as the changing attitudes towards work and purpose in midlife. We explore the desire to continue working after retirement, the need for additional income due to longevity, and the shift toward making a difference and leaving a legacy. Friends of the pod and…
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Uncover the compelling journey of Dana Killion, acclaimed author of "Where the Shadows Dance," and a wife to an alcoholic. In this heart-rending podcast episode, KL engages in a candid conversation, delving into the sacrifices made by wives of alcoholics and the transformative lessons they learn while finding their truth amidst chaos and getting ou…
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This week, we're wrapping up the special series on Modern Retirement. In previous episodes, we've talked about why reframing retirement is a necessary must-do. I've shared my messy retirement journey. And we've discussed the 7 skills we need to navigate retirement in the 21st century. Today, I want to walk you through a framework that I've been wor…
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Imagine moving From Junkie to Judge and the depth of work and clarity it took for Mary Beth O'Connor to achieve this goal. Today, learn what happened after she decided to get clean and sober, while her best friend and sister did not. How did she handle those feelings of despair and terror and manage the racing thoughts: "I got sober. Why can't you?…
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EPISODE SUMMARY This is the third episode in our series on Modern Retirement in the 21st century. The traditional idea of retirement as a life of rest and leisure is no longer appealing to many people, and slogans like "Never Retire" have gained popularity. In previous episodes, we've discussed why we need to reframe retirement and actively reshape…
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Have you ever been in so much pain you’ve had to shut down emotionally? You stop allowing yourself to feel your emotions just so you can survive and keep going, because the reality of what you are facing is so painful you cannot even begin to allow yourself to walk through and acknowledge the truth. If this sounds like you, then you don’t want to m…
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EPISODE SUMMARY It's difficult to talk about the mess when you're in the middle of the mess. This is the "true" story behind my retirement story - i.e., what happened when (and why) I left my corporate career. It's recorded with the benefit of hindsight, of course, and only with some distance that enabled some reflection and connecting of dots. My …
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EPISODE SUMMARY Retirement in the 21st century looks and feels different from how our parents experienced their retirement. It’s even going to be different from how we, once upon a time, might have imagined ourselves retiring. And while the loudest messages out there about retirement are all about financial security, investment strategies, and grow…
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Holidays are meant to bring about happy celebration, but what happens when a family member’s addiction turns them into fearful anxiety? KL Wells is back with Tucker Stine as they discuss the challenges that come with reinventing family traditions for the summer holidays when the disease of addiction takes over. With the 4th of July being one of the…
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The ladies are back with another dish of leftovers. As the ladies head into the summer months they finish up the season strong. Jen finally dishes on what's new in her life, Yvonne give some updates of the hectic summer coming her. We want to thank you all for sticking with us and enjoying our episodes. We are planning on returning as soon as every…
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EPISODE SUMMARY Are you concerned about your brain health and the risk of cognitive decline? Do you believe that memory loss is a natural part of aging? In this episode, I interview brain health professional Allison Liu, who shares practical steps to protect and improve our brain health. We discuss the importance of taking care of our brains, debun…
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Do you need help learning how to thrive in the midst of a family member’s substance abuse disorder? Today, KL Wells and Jim Horton discuss tactical steps on how to retrain our brains to find the lessons out of tragedies as family members. Including the unimaginable: the loss of Jim’s son to overdose. Their goal is to shatter the stigma of addiction…
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EPISODE SUMMARY Do you believe that sex after menopause is always painful and that your sexual life will never be the same again? If so, you may be surprised to learn that these are just some of the common misconceptions surrounding sex after menopause. In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Dweck, MD, discusses these misconceptions and provides valuable insi…
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On today's menu: Butter Chicken Jen finally cooks up her favourite butter chicken recipe. The ladies chat about life changes and challenges, while the kitchen fills with delicious sounds of a simple butter chicken recipe that anyone can do and everyone can enjoy! Butter Chicken Ingredients - 3 Chicken Breast - 1/2 cup Cashews - 1 Yellow Onion slice…
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EPISODE SUMMARY Stress is a common experience that affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, especially in midlife. But unfortunately, only a few have been taught to manage stress effectively. As a result, how to deal with stress is often one of those things we fumble our way around through life! In this episode, we're continuing our …
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In today's podcast, KL Wells and Tucker Stine reflect on celebrating one year of the Voices InCourage Podcast. They explore the harsh reality of the recovery journey: the highs and lows that addicts and their families face. In a surprising realization, KL discovers that her relapse plan as a family member mirrors Tucker's relapse plan, who has been…
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On the Menu today: Mexican Rice. Yvonne sizzles up some delicious Mexican Rice as Jen shares the insane details of her recent trip, and Yvonne's thought of a fully renovated house. Mexican Rice Ingredients - 2 4 Roma tomatoes cored and quartered (see note 1) - 1 onion peeled and quartered - 1/3 cup olive oil or vegetable oil - 2 cups long-grain whi…
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EPISODE SUMMARY This is the first episode in a series on Midlife Health and Well-Being. I am joined by Laurie Lewis to discuss the benefits of intermittent fasting for midlifers and particularly for women going through menopause. As an expert on the topic, Laurie shares her personal experience with menopause and how intermittent fasting helped her.…
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