Living Your Sparked Second Half

EP424: Today’s guest is Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli, an author and columnist who writes about love, loss and healing, and whose life story is one of profound tragedy transformed into a beacon of resilience and hope.  Becky recounts her journey marked by significant loss, including the heartbreaking death of her brother and the many challenges that followed: raising children with special needs, losing a child, navigating a divorce, and confronting permanent paralysis.  Becky shares her career shift from IBM to author, using her personal story to inspire others through her books, “Rethinking Possible” and “Morning Fuel”. Her insights throughout the episode reveal the profound power of perspective, the art of active waiting, and how embracing life’s unpredictability can lead to finding joy in the present. She discusses the deep influence of her life events on her writing and her passion for connecting with others who face similar challenges.  We talked about: The tragic loss of her 17-year-old brother at a young age and its impact to her family.  Her pivot from a successful corporate career to author and the purpose behind the two books she’s written. Her sudden and unexpected paralysis and her inspiring coping mechanisms. Starting a non-profit to support parents navigating the world of autism after her own struggles raising children with special needs. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, offering a deep dive into what it means to hold onto hope while navigating difficult realities. Listen in and let Becky’s candid reflections encourage you to appreciate life’s moments, however imperfect, and actively seek joy despite challenges. Other ways to find and connect with Beck are: Website: www.BeckyGalli.com or www.RebeccaFayeSmithGalli.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chairwriter/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/chairwriter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-faye-smith-galli-061501a/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairwriter/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chairwriter/ 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 [email protected] 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.

EP423: In this solo episode, I talk about my recent experience of going back to the place of my birth, where I spent the first 18 months of my life and many of my summers growing up, to attend a beloved aunt's funeral in Massachusetts and the profound reflections it prompted.  I share two key lessons, involving some pretty incredible secrets, which everyone needs to hear! You see, my aunt was a secret keeper and I talk about two of the biggest secrets of her life that are juicy enough for a best selling novel. One of her secrets was revealed many years ago, and, as a result, drastically changed the trajectory of someone’s life.  The other secret was held until her death and now it’s unraveling and will likely have significant emotional consequences for those who are still living. As you listen to these personal stories about the life-changing choices my aunt made, I hope the lessons I gained and have reflected on inspire you to make time to nurture meaningful relationships, show up honestly and openly without hiding any part of you, and make courageous choices that honor your true self. Tune in for a heartfelt narrative that might just encourage you to take action in your own life. 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 [email protected] 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.

EP422: Today I have a returning guest, Sandy Weiner, who is the Chief Love Officer at Last First Date. She's an internationally known TEDx speaker, dating and relationship coach, author, and podcast host, and she recently released a new book, “Love At Last,” featuring 18 inspiring love stories that prove it’s never too late to find meaningful relationships.  In this episode, Sandy shares her expertise in how she helps individuals overcome emotional hurdles, emphasizing the value of embracing vulnerability and self-awareness, especially after the age of 40, when dating can feel different but also more meaningful. We also touch on the evolving world of dating, and how different it is today, in a tech-driven environment, than when the women of my generation first began dating.  Other topics we cover are:  - How the pandemic reshaped first dates. - The interesting parallels of the couples in her book that helped them find and flourish in their loving relationships. - Real-life examples that give one hope for finding new love later in life, often when you least expect it. - Strategies for fostering relationship success if you are looking for love and haven’t been successful on your own. This episode is a heartwarming and motivating reminder that love and the personal growth gifts that come with it are possible at any stage of life. Sandy wants everyone who desires a partner and is ready to break down emotional barriers, to have hope that love can be found in the most unexpected ways. If you are seeking love for the first time or rediscovering it after divorce or the loss of a partner and are ready to embrace the next romantic chapter of your journey, make sure to tune into this conversation with Sandy.  Other ways to find and connect with Sandy are: Website: https://lastfirstdate.com/    New book, Love at Last: https://amzn.to/3Bxsxse   Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LastFirstDate   Podcast: https://lastfirstdate.com/lastfirstdateradio/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lastfirstdate   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 [email protected] 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.

EP421: Today’s guest is Denise Corbo, a retired educator and the founder of Storybook Treasures. Denise shares her inspiring journey from stumbling into her first teaching gig as a high school cosmetology teacher, to finding her passion as an elementary school teacher, and then to starting a nonprofit dedicated to promoting literacy and spreading the love of books to grade school children.  In this episode, Denise opens up about her personal experiences, sharing how her own shy childhood and undiagnosed learning challenges fueled her passion for teaching and finding creative ways for her students, especially those who struggled to read, to succeed.  Denise talks about how she got the idea to start her company, Storybook Treasures, the early challenges she faced, and the determination that drove her forward. From financial hurdles to skepticism about her vision, she remained steadfast in her mission to make a difference in the lives of children.  We chatted about: How she got into teaching cosmetology.  The creative way she overcame financial hurdles to start her own business on a teacher’s salary. How her quest to find Innovative teaching methods led her to an incredible teaching award and ultimately led to the idea for her business. The importance of community involvement, volunteers, and scaling impact to help more people. Denise's story serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest steps can lead to a large impact, especially when driven by a purpose that brings value to others. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with wisdom, heart, and a call to action that invites all of us to make a difference in the lives of young learners. If you’d like to connect with Denise and/or order a subscription to receive your own Storybook Treasure every other month (or gift one!), get in touch with her at one of the following links: Website: https://www.storybooktreasures.org/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoryBookTreasures/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storybook-treasures-inc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storybook_treasures/ 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 [email protected] 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.