Meaning and Moxie After 50

In this lively and inspiring episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie Maloney sits down with the remarkable Sue Willoughby — a woman who has truly done it all. From piloting planes and performing stand-up comedy to refereeing roller derby and driving limousines, Sue has built a life defined by curiosity, courage, and the willingness to step far outside her comfort zone. But it’s her deep connection with horses, especially thro...

In this insightful episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie Maloney sits down with Mikelann Valterra, a veteran money coach and author of Rise Above the Money Fog, to explore the emotional side of financial well-being. Together, they unpack why so many women over 50 feel overwhelmed or disconnected from their money and how emotional spending, financial fog, and outdated money narratives can keep us stuck. Mikelann shares pract...

In this lively conversation, host Leslie Maloney finally connects one-on-one with her friend Bonnie Dubrow, affectionately known as "the Energizer Bonnie." They dive into Bonnie's infectious energy and explore how she maintains such a vibrant outlook on life. Bonnie shares insights into what fuels her positive spirit and offers glimpses into her coaching philosophy, hinting at the wisdom and encouragement she provide...

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie Maloney sits down with acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Sky Bergman, whose award-winning documentary Lives Well Lived celebrates the voices and life lessons of older adults. Inspired by her own grandmother’s wisdom and vitality, Sky set out to capture the stories of people aged 75 and older who continue to live with purpose, joy, and resilienc...

In this inspiring conversation, Robin Jonas shares her personal journey of transformation after 50, focusing on how she reclaimed her health, energy, and sense of purpose. After years of working in a high-stress environment, Robin experienced a health scare that became a major turning point. She opens up about the changes she made to her lifestyle — from incorporating daily walks and meditation to improving her nutrition and priori...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie Maloney sits down with friend and creative powerhouse Susan Rizzo for a heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation. The two reflect on their evolving friendship and dig into Susan’s inspiring journey through various stages of life—from her work in the arts to her role in building meaningful community projects. Susan shares stories about staying curious, being open to reinvention, a...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie Maloney chats with the remarkable Mary Davison, an avid long-distance hiker and author who began taking on ambitious trails in her sixties and into her eighties. Mary shares her journey from casual walker to intrepid adventurer, reflecting on the physical and emotional challenges she faced while hiking iconic routes like the Camino de Santiago, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appal...

In this soul-stirring episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie sits down with Bob Sima, a musician, mindfulness guide, and lyrical storyteller who transforms everyday experiences into sacred, musical reflections. Bob shares his fascinating journey from performing in rock bands to becoming a creator of conscious music that heals, inspires, and awakens. With humility, humor, and heart, Bob explores the power of language, the imp...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie Maloney dives headfirst into the thorny issue of ageism—both the kind society throws at us and the sneaky, internalized beliefs we carry ourselves. Building on the buzz from a previous episode, Leslie takes a no-nonsense approach to unpack how ageist attitudes show up in everyday life, from subtle comments to deeply ingrained biases. With her signature blend of humor and insight...

In this episode, Leslie speaks with Wanita Fleury, a former high school principal who made a bold midlife transition into the world of energy healing. Wanita shares her personal journey of burnout and awakening, describing how the pressures of leadership in education led her to reevaluate her life’s path. Through a series of spiritual nudges, she discovered the power of energy work, which eventually became her new calling. Wanita e...

In this inspiring episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, host Leslie Maloney sits down with global sailor Fabian Fernandez, who is in the midst of an extraordinary journey to sail around the world. Speaking from Panama, Fabian shares that he is preparing for the final and most challenging leg of his voyage—a solo crossing of the vast Pacific Ocean back to his home in Malaysia. As he approaches the final 15,500 nautical miles of his...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, host Leslie Maloney takes on the topic of ageism—with wit, warmth, and a mission to challenge the outdated narratives around getting older. She explores the two faces of ageism: the societal messages that diminish aging and the internalized beliefs we often carry without even realizing it. Through personal anecdotes, relatable examples, and a sprinkle of humor, Leslie reveals how even ...

Ever dreamed of leaving a lasting impact on the world? Cyrus Mejia did just that when he helped found Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill rescue in the country. What started as a scrappy group with a big idea in 1984 has blossomed into a nationwide movement, saving countless animals and changing the way we think about rescue. In this episode, Cyrus takes us behind the scenes of this incredible journey—sharing the pas...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie sits down with her friend Margie Ruzzo, a woman who knows a thing or two about reinvention. From their first meeting at a women’s retreat in North Carolina over a decade ago to the powerful life shifts Margie has embraced since, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and real talk about what it means to evolve at any stage of life.

Margie opens up about the pivotal momen...

In this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, I sit down with Jess Arce, the dynamic founder of 3D Learning Experts, who’s passionate about helping individuals with learning differences unlock their potential. While these challenges are often linked to childhood, Jess sheds light on how learning differences impact adults too—including those of us over 50. Forgetfulness, difficulty adapting to new technology, or lifelong struggles ...

In this insightful episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50, Leslie Maloney delves into the fascinating world of intuition, offering practical advice and relatable anecdotes on tuning in to that inner wisdom we often overlook. From the classic “gut feeling” to subtle emotional pings, Leslie breaks down ten key reminders for recognizing, trusting, and acting on intuition in everyday life. She highlights how intuitive messages can manif...

We kick off this episode of Meaning and Moxie After 50 with a bang, introducing  guest, DC Frost—a name practically made for the bestseller list. DC didn’t just dip her toes into the world of writing; she dove in headfirst, publishing her first novel after turning 60 and never looking back.

DC shares how her storytelling spark ignited as a kid watching The Munsters. That quirky TV show fueled a lifelong imagination, though it took d...

Witness the power of dialogue as I sit down with Gabby Timmis from Braver Angels, an organization transforming America's political landscape. Born from the aftermath of the 2016 election, Braver Angels began as two friends and a renowned therapist came together to mend the nation's divides. Through innovative Red Blue Workshops, they foster understanding between Trump and Biden supporters, growing into a significant movem...

Janet Mitchell, a notable figure in the senior sports community, shares her journey from a sports-oriented family to becoming a key player on the famed Maryland Roadrunners. This episode dives into her early inspirations, including her pioneering mother, and highlights how her passion for softball ignited a lifelong love affair with the game. We explore the spirit of the Roadrunners, emphasizing how teamwork, strategy, and a shared...