Mary Eisenhauer is the perfect guest for AGELESS because she recently wrote and published a book called “Reimagining Midlife” which contains stories of 35 women and their often surprising journeys to figuring out next chapters. Clearly, Mary’s mission is right in line with this podcast! Mary is a human resources’ professional, the married mother of daughters, and someone who is committed to showing that women have much to offer at any age. And, like most of my guests, Mary has experienced trauma. Her daughter was diagnosed with cancer in her teens. Resilient and inspirational, you will connect with Mary and her message.

To learn more about Mary:

https://maryeisenhauer.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-eisenhauer-shrm-scp-5a2b90/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565349554598&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Sharon Lawrence is a name most people know well. She is a star on the big screen, the little screen, and on the stage. She is probably best know for her longtime role as Sylvia Costas on NYPD Blue. She's also a huge supporter of women in her industry and a committed environmentalist. But here in North Carolina, we're proud to call her family. The Carolina native is now bringing her talent along with her star power to the Playmakers Repertory Theater at her alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill, for a weeklong stint in "The Shot." It's a one-woman play inspired by the story of the most powerful woman in journalism. Before her legendary tenure at The Washington Post, where she defied the U. S. government by publishing both the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate story, Katharine Graham was an abused wife. Her resilience set the stage for her transformation into an emblem of power in the media world.

*This interview with Sharon first aired in April, 2024. But I wanted to bring it back this week to coincide with her appearance on stage in our area. This is a longer version of the original conversation with extra content. I hope you enjoy listening to Sharon and glean as much wisdom from her as much as I did!

To follow Sharon and her work:

The Shot | PlayMakers Repertory Company

(13) Facebook

Sharon Lawrence (@sharonelawrence) • Instagram photos and videos

(20) Sharon Lawrence (@sharonlawrence) / X

(34) Sharon Lawrence | LinkedIn

With the new year approaching, I decided it was time to unpack the journey I've experienced in 2024 producing and hosting my podcast, AGELESS. My lovely friend and former colleague, who also happened to be my very first guest on the show in January 2024, Sloane Heffernan, agreed to put me in the hotseat to talk about the ups and downs of being a one-woman show and all that I've learned in the past year. I'm so thankful for all the women who trusted me with their powerful stories about everything from love, loss, illness, addiction, mental illness, and every other curveball that life throws at us. I'm so humbled they chose to tell their stories to me and my audience. I'm also humbled by the support I received from all of you. Stay tuned for a brand new format coming in late January 2025 where I will dig deeper into some of these hot button topics women are talking about and get some advice from experts. Enjoy this fun conversation with my dear friend Sloane who always makes me smile!

For more information on how to follow me and get notified about my latest episodes see below:

North Carolina State University's Coach Kay Yow died in 2009 after a 22-year battle with breast cancer. She was one of the most successful women’s basketball coaches in history, amassing more than 700 wins during her 38-year career. Yet, she is more than just a sports icon, she was a helper, someone who left a lasting legacy of helping others on and off the court. Yow had the foresight to start the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in 2007 before she died in order to support women battling every type of cancer. The organization has raised $8.78 million dollars to help in the fight cancers that affect women. In today's episode, we talk to a breast cancer survivor who shares her story through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to show other women they are not alone. We will also talk to Jenny Palmateer who played for Yow in college, was an assistant coach with her for a decade, and credits Yow with teaching her some of her most important life lessons.

TTo learn more about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and their upcoming Run/Walk Celebration February 1: Celebration Run/Walk - Kay Yow Cancer Fund

Julie McKnight was born to be a performer. She grew up around famous musicians who encouraged her in Los Angeles. But a pregnancy in college, and an early marriage to Brian McKnight who would eventually become a successful R&B singer, threatened to derail Julie’s career. Like many women, her dreams took a backseat to family. But eventually, she found the strength to break out on her own as a single mother of two young boys. She’s traveled all over the world singing with her band, 9th Street Protocol. Being a singer is just one of the many layers to Julie—she has also worked in therapeutic counseling in the foster care system and has taught preschoolers. She and her extended family have been foster parents to hundreds of children. She has a nonprofit called Carolina’s Child which brings the arts to inner-city youth. Julie has written about her unique blended family in a book called “Mama Bear” which details her journey to create relationships between her children and McKnight’s children with other women. Julie is kind and vivacious, but most of all, she radiates joy in everything she does.

https://www.facebook.com/julie.mcknight2

https://www.instagram.com/itsjuliemcknight/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-mcknight-b4319454/

Holly Richard has gone through the worst thing that anyone can ever experience, the loss of a child. In 2019, her 28-year-old Army veteran son, Derek, died after being diagnosed with a tumor called glioblastoma, the Titanic of brain tumors. It nearly broke her. But instead of staying in a dark place, Holly chose to share her painful journey in a book and to work hard to help support other brain cancer patients and research for this underfunded disease. It’s not surprising that Holly rose to this challenge as her life has always been a challenge…she left high school at 17 to move away from home with a boyfriend, got married, and had children. Holly eventually earned a college degree while working full-time and raising children. Holly has spent her career in the nonprofit world focusing on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She’s a fighter as well as a kind, and compassionate human being who is using her personal experience to help others.

To learn more about Holly and her work:

https://www.facebook.com/holly.richard.505

https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-richard-983a0b6b/

Maura Allard’s journey started down a rocky path. She was a college dropout who was kicked out of her home as a teenager and fell into addiction. Several relationships ended poorly, one in death, the other in divorce. But when Maura finally got sober, her career thrived. She started a business and became a realtor, but something was always missing. It wasn’t until she started learning about the metaphysical world after a spiritual awakening in 2021 that Maura knew something had to change. She was burned out and lacked a true purpose in life. She moved from Boston to North Carolina to marry her passion for healing and finding the perfect homes for her clients through something called intuitive real estate. Now, Maura lives a quieter and more intentional life, something she believes is within reach for everyone.

To learn more about Maura:

https://www.facebook.com/WindWaterWisdom

https://www.windwaterandwisdom.com/

https://mauraallardintuitiverealtor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/windwaterandwisdom/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allardmaura/

https://www.youtube.com/@WindWaterandWisdom

83-year-old Florence Nash is a poet and a storyteller with a melodic voice that I could listen to all day. She’s also an accomplished musician and a believer that the arts make all our lives more joyful. Raised near the banks of the Tar River in tiny Tarboro, North Carolina, Florence eventually spread her wings. They took her all over the world to live in many places including California and Europe. Out west, she found herself in the middle of the counterculture revolution. Like most women of her generation, she was told her main purpose in life was to get married, have children, and be a good wife and mother. She did all that, but she wanted more. This sent her on a lifelong journey to figure out where she fit in, and if she had other skills to contribute to her community and the world. You will love her continual path of exploration and self-discovery which has led her in so many different directions. Florence is guided by the principal that if something gives you joy and is useful to others, you have found your purpose.