Older Women & Friends: Real Women. Real Experts. Real Talk About Older Women Aging

The Evolving Journey of Kathryn GrodyReflections on age, art, and authenticity in a digital world.Kathryn Grody shares her winding path through peaks and valleys in the performing arts, emphasizing the importance of staying true to herself amid changing times and technologies.A Journey of Peaks and ValleysKathryn reflects on a career marked by both triumphs and challenges. "I have had great moments and low moments and great moments and low moments and in-between moments. I never had one moment where I was discovered and then had to work the rest of my life keeping that in the zeitgeist."The Impact of COVID and Social MediaKathryn's journey took an unexpected turn during the COVID pandemic when she and her husband shared a personal story on social media, unexpectedly garnering millions of views. "It started with this very odd experience for me... I wanted my little niche." Her newfound visibility has allowed her to engage with a broader audience, yet she remains cautious about the implications of social media fame. Embracing Aging and EvolutionAt 79, Kathryn encourages others not to fear aging but to embrace it. "I want to encourage younger people to not be afraid of having the privilege of being older... You can still surprise yourself." Reflection on Technology and HumanityKathryn expresses concern over the impact of technology on personal interactions. "I’m frightened by the way that we have, without thinking, surrendered to this machine. We were so... look what it can do. We never questioned." Kathryn's journey is a reminder that life is not just about the peaks of success but also about the valleys that shape us. As we navigate the complexities of modern existence, her insights encourage us to remain authentic and aware of our humanity.https://www.tiktok.com/discover/mandy-patinkin-and-kathryn-grodyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/theater/in-the-bricks-festival-monologues.html

What does it take to keep growing, reinventing yourself, and finding your voice as you move through life?In this episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder talks with Machan Taylor, a Japanese American singer, vocal teacher, trained vocalologist, author, and longtime performer whose extraordinary life has taken her from Japan and New Jersey to stages around the world.Machan shares her story of growing up Japanese American after being born in postwar Japan and moving to the United States as a young child. She describes struggling with identity, belonging, discrimination, and a difficult family environment, and how music became the place where she found her identity and a sense of belonging.Her professional music career eventually took her around the world, including tours with artists such as Pink Floyd, Pat Benatar, George Benson, Foreigner, Sting, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. But behind the success, Machan says she struggled with insecurity, imposter syndrome, and questions about whether she truly belonged.The conversation also explores reinvention and personal growth after 50. In her 50s, Machan returned to school, earned both a bachelor's and master's degree, and expanded her work as a voice teacher and vocalologist. She reflects on why she was a better student later in life and why curiosity and lifelong learning remain important to her.As she approaches 70, Machan talks openly about struggling with turning 60, the transformation and self-discovery of her 60s, therapy, healing from past experiences, and feeling more comfortable in her own skin.She also discusses her book, Naked Out Loud, and its message about telling the truth about who you are, seeking help when needed, and letting go of shame so you can continue growing and evolving.For older women, women over 50, and anyone interested in aging well, reinvention, personal growth, purpose, creativity, and finding fulfillment later in life, this is an honest and inspiring story of continuing to evolve.https://www.facebook.com/machantaylor/https://www.machantaylor.com/https://www.machantaylor.com/biohttps://www.machantaylor.com/songshttps://www.youtube.com/@MachanTaylorOfficial

What if some of the challenges you've struggled with for years have a name and you've never been diagnosed?In this episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder talks with Dr. Kathleen Nadeau, an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, and pioneer in ADHD research for girls and women across the lifespan.Kathleen shares her own experience growing up with ADHD before she understood what was happening. She describes being active, athletic, intensely focused on academics, and a passionate reader, while still experiencing challenges that, in hindsight, made sense through the lens of ADHD. She also explains why ADHD can look very different from one person to another and why girls and women have historically been overlooked or diagnosed later.The conversation explores late ADHD diagnosis, attention and focus, anxiety and overwhelm, family patterns, genetics, and the impact of environment and expectations on women with ADHD. Kathleen discusses how traditional expectations around homemaking, caregiving, multitasking, and managing a household can create particular challenges for women with ADHD. Jane and Kathleen also discuss hormones, puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause, and how hormonal fluctuations can affect women with ADHD. They talk about ADHD medications, working collaboratively with healthcare providers, and the importance of understanding individual needs rather than assuming there is one solution for everyone. But this conversation isn't only about difficulties. Kathleen offers a different perspective: ADHD can also come with creativity, energy, problem-solving, enthusiasm, adaptability, and the ability to think on your feet. She encourages people to understand their strengths and find environments where those strengths can flourish. For women over 50, older women, caregivers, families, and anyone interested in ADHD across the lifespan, this is an insightful conversation about diagnosis, self-understanding, personal growth, and learning how to live well with a differently wired brain.*Personal Experiences*Signs and Symptoms*Across the Lifespan*Role of the Environment*Genetic Factors in ADHD*Hormonal Influences*Medication*Tools & Strategies for Managing ADHDhttps://drkathleennadeau.com/https://www.accelevents.com/e/ilatglobal

Real women. Real experts. Real conversations about what it actually means to grow older—and why the best parts of life may still surprise and excite us.What does it really mean to age well, and how can we prepare for the life we want in the years ahead?In this episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder talks with Sharon Rose, a social gerontologist who specializes in aging in place, age-friendly communities, and intergenerational relationships. Their conversation explores the practical questions that come with planning for the next stage of life and how we can approach aging with greater awareness and preparation.Sharon explains that aging is not a hill we reach and stop climbing. She encourages us to keep moving forward by staying healthy, positive, socially engaged, and financially smart. She also emphasizes the importance of curiosity, learning, new activities, and meaningful relationships throughout life.A major focus is aging in place, what it means and how to make a home more comfortable and safer as needs change. Sharon discusses practical ideas such as zero-entry showers, lever handles, appropriate lighting, lower shelving, secure rugs, and other elements of universal design.Jane and Sharon also explore why community and social connection matter so much. They discuss the difference between multigenerational and intergenerational relationships and share examples of ways older adults and younger people can connect, exchange knowledge, build friendships, and learn from one another.The conversation also looks at the evolving 50+ marketplace and how today’s older adults want clothing, food, makeup, and other products that reflect active, modern lives rather than outdated ideas about aging.For older women, women over 50, and anyone interested in aging well, this episode offers practical perspectives on health, mobility, independence, community, home design, relationships, and preparing for the next chapter of life.A thoughtful conversation about aging well, staying engaged, and creating a life that continues to work for you. SummaryJane Leder and social gerontologist Sharon Rose explore what it means to age well, from aging in place and creating safer homes to staying healthy, socially engaged, financially prepared, and connected to community. They discuss health span, mobility, intergenerational relationships, age-friendly communities, universal design, and the evolving 50+ marketplace, offering practical perspectives for older women and women over 50 planning for the next stage of life. 

What happens when the career, identity, and titles that once defined your life no longer feel like enough? In this powerful episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder welcomes empowerment speaker, leadership development professional, author, and life coach Eva Kennedy for an honest conversation about purpose, resilience, self-discovery, and remembering who you are.Eva spent 29 years building a successful leadership career at Allstate, eventually becoming the company’s first Black director of the claims department. But major life transitions, including a breast cancer diagnosis, reconstructive surgery, and her eventual departure from Allstate, forced her to reconsider what success and a fulfilling life truly meant.She shares how leaving a career she had been deeply connected to created an unexpected question: “What is my purpose?” That period of uncertainty ultimately led her to identify her five core values, pursue coaching, develop her voice as an empowerment speaker, and create a new chapter centered on helping women reconnect with themselves.Jane and Eva explore personal growth, self-worth, women’s empowerment, health, meaningful relationships, financial independence, self-care, and life transitions. Eva explains why knowing your values can become a personal roadmap for making better decisions, and why being honest with yourself is essential when discovering what you genuinely want.She also shares her practical framework: awareness, honesty, acceptance, alignment, and action. Her message is simple but powerful: you don't have to have everything figured out. You don't have to wait for the perfect time. Sometimes, transformation begins with one small step.Through her work with One Million Women, One Million Steps, Eva encourages women to take that first step toward the life they truly desire.Whether you're navigating a major transition, searching for purpose, rebuilding confidence, or simply wondering what your next chapter could look like, this inspirational conversation offers meaningful life advice for women, personal growth, empowerment, and fulfillment.https://www.evamkennedy.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/eva-kennedy/id1744428189?i=1000735481698&l=nbhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQk7SPQNDDvY8GhTQqF7laghttps://www.amazon.com/Just-L-P-Messages-inspire-ebook/dp/B09FMWC8ZY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=N6D57GDU5QY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Y1etN9Zcc9qAtDMegDgsMLbzayuGyCzriguQRlnjVZh3QoR0yx990YMAtiKvc-H9.8ELM1AUhqFN7CJlogmn7Inh-nQ0qVfn8RAF5R79rlP0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Eva+m+Kennedy+book&qid=1789501667&s=digital-text&sprefix=eva+m+kennedy+book%2Cdigital-text%2C131&sr=1-1