The Hidden Side of Retirement: Identity, Purpose, and Life After the Career Ends

Don't Be Invisible to Yourself | Jo Blackwell on Self-Ageism, Confidence & Aging Well

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/fan_mail/new] Are you holding yourself back because of your age... without even realizing it? Growing older isn't the problem. The stories we've been told about growing older might be. In this inspiring conversation, Marqueeta Curtis-Haynes welcomes author, podcaster, and Midlife & Beyond creator Jo Blackwell for an honest discussion about self-ageism, reinvention, confidence, and why our later years may hold more possibility than we've been led to believe. In this uplifting and thought-provoking conversation, Marqueeta Curtis-Haynes welcomes author, podcaster, and Midlife & Beyond creator Jo Blackwell for a powerful discussion about self-ageism, reinvention, confidence, and embracing the incredible opportunities that come with growing older. After losing herself during perimenopause and navigating anxiety, depression, and major life changes, Jo discovered that midlife wasn't the end of her story—it was the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Today, she's helping women around the world challenge outdated beliefs about aging and embrace a future filled with purpose, possibility, and joy. Together, Marqueeta and Jo discuss: • What self-ageism is, and how it quietly shapes our lives • Why so many women feel invisible after 50 • The surprising "good news" about growing older • Why it's never too late to start over • The difference between reinventing yourself and becoming more of who you truly are • The importance of community, curiosity, and letting go • How changing the way we think about aging can change the way we live If you've ever wondered whether your best years are behind you, this conversation will leave you feeling hopeful, empowered, and ready to embrace what's next. At Ageless Glamour Girls™, we believe growing older isn't about becoming less - but about becoming more. **********************  From the Desk of Jo Blackwell: I write about the stories we carry, and how they shape the way we experience midlife and growing older.   I’ve always been interested in stories: those that are true, those we are told, and those we tell ourselves. In ancient cultures, storytellers were entrusted with remembering and retelling the stories of the people - helping individuals and communities make sense of who they were, where they came from, and what mattered.   I still believe that role matters. Being seen and heard can be as powerful as being loved. Taking the time to truly listen to another human being is a quiet, radical act, and one that feels increasingly necessary in an emotionally disconnected world   Over my lifetime, I’ve spent a great deal of time unpicking my own stories in search of truth and meaning. It has been a long, sometimes painful, but ultimately deeply fulfilling process. As I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself arriving, occasionally, at a place that feels like peace.   My working life has always revolved around stories:                                                       • As a brand photographer, I helped entrepreneurs tell their stories more clearly, so they could attract clients aligned with who they really were.                                    • Through one-to-one coaching, I supported women in midlife to question the stories holding them back and to begin shaping new ones that reflected who they were becoming.                                                                                                                       • Today, I write about the culture of ageing, and in my fiction, women in midlife and beyond are very often at the heart of the story.                                                                                                                                                                                               Alongside this work, I’ve been married for more than four decades. We have four children, four children-in-law, and ten grandchildren. They are my greatest blessing, and together, they form the most meaningful story of my life.  ***********************  CONNECT WITH JO: *Book: Ageing Wonderfully Well: The Good News about Midlife and Growing Older:  https://geni.us/AgeingWonderfullyWell [https://geni.us/AgeingWonderfullyWell] *Website: https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/ [https://www.joblackwell.co.uk/]  *YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond [https://www.youtube.com/@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond] *Substack: https://joblackwellmidlifeandbeyond.substack.com [https://joblackwellmidlifeandbeyond.substack.com]  *IG:  @joblackwell_midlifeandbeyond [https://www.instagram.com/joblackwell_midlifeandbeyond/]         Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/support] Support Ageless Glamour Girls™: * www.agelessglamourgirls.com [http://www.agelessglamourgirls.com/]         * www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes [http://www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes]        * https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls]  * https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls [https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls]       * Instagram @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.instagram.com/agelessglamourgirls/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls [https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls] * Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe [https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe] * TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.tiktok.com/@agelessglamourgirls] * Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls™ and Purple Tulip Media, LLC

The Hidden Side of Retirement: Identity, Purpose, and Life After the Career Ends

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/fan_mail/new] You can spend decades preparing financially for retirement... and still find yourself completely unprepared for what comes next. So why do so many women feel a little lost once their careers end? We're revisiting one of our most thought-provoking conversations in this encore episode of the Ageless Glamour Girls™ Podcast. Host Marqueeta Curtis-Haynes sits down with Cheryl Fimbel, author of The Hidden Side of Retirement: What Nobody Tells You About Identity, Purpose, and Life After Your Career Ends, for an honest conversation about one of life's biggest transitions. Originally released in April 2026, this episode remains just as timely and relevant for anyone approaching retirement - or already navigating this important season of life. After a 45-year career in healthcare leadership, Cheryl entered retirement financially prepared - but emotionally caught off guard. Together, Marqueeta and Cheryl unpack the unexpected challenges that often accompany retirement, from the loss of identity and routine to redefining purpose and rebuilding meaningful connections. Cheryl also shares why the first 90 days matter, how to avoid rushing into reinvention, and practical ways to begin building a meaningful and fulfilling next chapter. Most importantly, she reminds us of something we all need to hear: "You are not broken. You're in transition." And yes - we also celebrate the joys of retirement: more freedom, more time with the people you love, new adventures, and the opportunity to create a life that's truly your own. Whether retirement is years away, just around the corner, or already part of your story, this conversation offers practical wisdom, reassurance, and hope for the journey ahead. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • Why retirement is as much an emotional transition as a financial one • Why so many women experience identity loss after leaving a long career • What really happens during the first 90 days - and why it matters • Why feeling lost doesn't mean you're broken • Practical ways to rebuild purpose, structure, and social connection • How to embrace this next season with confidence and intention ********************** ABOUT OUR GUEST Cheryl Fimbel is the author of The Hidden Side of Retirement: What Nobody Tells You About Identity, Purpose, and Life After Your Career Ends. Drawing on 45 years of experience in healthcare leadership and organizational change, she helps people prepare not only for the financial side of retirement, but also for the emotional transition that follows. Website: https://www.crownyearsmedia.com/ [https://www.crownyearsmedia.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chfimbel/ [https://www.instagram.com/chfimbel/] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250148128-the-hidden-side-of-retirement [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250148128-the-hidden-side-of-retirement] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/support] Support Ageless Glamour Girls™: * www.agelessglamourgirls.com [http://www.agelessglamourgirls.com/]         * www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes [http://www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes]        * https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls]  * https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls [https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls]       * Instagram @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.instagram.com/agelessglamourgirls/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls [https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls] * Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe [https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe] * TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.tiktok.com/@agelessglamourgirls] * Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls™ and Purple Tulip Media, LLC

The Empty Chair: Widowhood, Dating Again After 60, and Protecting Your Legacy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/fan_mail/new] ENCORE PRESENTATION After decades of marriage, what happens when the seat beside you is suddenly empty? At Ageless Glamour Girls™, we often talk about reinvention, resilience, and embracing new chapters after 50. But some of life's biggest transitions arrive uninvited. As more women find themselves navigating widowhood, solo aging, and the possibility of dating again later in life, we're revisiting this powerful conversation from earlier this year - with Carol Williams, Founder of Flipping Fabulously and the Later Life Love Academy. After losing her husband of nearly 50 years, Carol faced the challenge of rebuilding her life, rediscovering her identity, and eventually opening her heart to new possibilities. Today, she helps women over 60 navigate modern dating with discernment, confidence, and clarity. Together, Marqueeta and Carol discuss the emotional realities of widowhood, re-entering the dating world later in life, protecting yourself from financial and online scams, and creating a legacy that reflects your values and wishes. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to navigate the transition from wife to widow • Why grief and healing look different for every woman • The surprising challenges of dating after 60 • How to stay safe while dating online • Common financial mistakes widows should avoid • The importance of having difficult conversations about legacy planning • Why it's never too late to embrace a new chapter Whether you're navigating widowhood yourself, supporting a loved one through loss, or simply thinking about the future, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance for the road ahead. Connect with Carol: https://flippingfabulously.com/ [https://flippingfabulously.com/] https://www.instagram.com/flippingfabulously/ [https://www.instagram.com/flippingfabulously/] 🎁 FREE GIFT FOR NEW AGG YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBERS As mentioned in the episode, Carol is offering a complimentary guide: "The Emotional Readiness Checklist – Dating Again After 60" How to receive it: • Subscribe to the Ageless Glamour Girls™ YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls [https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls] • Email us at info@agelessglamourgirls.com [info@agelessglamourgirls.com] • Use the subject line: Carol's Checklist *** Once we confirm your subscription, we'll send you the guide. This episode is brought to you by Bricker Labs and their Liquid B-12 Blast + Folic Acid - designed to support energy and vitality in midlife and beyond. Visit BrickerLabs.com and use code AGG10 to save. Subscribe to the Ageless Glamour Girls™ Podcast for conversations that celebrate, empower, and inspire women 50+ on their ageless-aging journey. CHEERS to Healthy Aging and Joyful Living, Luvvies! #agelessglamourgirlspodcast #datingafter60 #widowhood #womenover60 #healthyaging Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/support] Support Ageless Glamour Girls™: * www.agelessglamourgirls.com [http://www.agelessglamourgirls.com/]         * www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes [http://www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes]        * https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls]  * https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls [https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls]       * Instagram @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.instagram.com/agelessglamourgirls/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls [https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls] * Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe [https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe] * TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.tiktok.com/@agelessglamourgirls] * Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls™ and Purple Tulip Media, LLC

What Is a Podcast? How to Listen, Watch - and Maybe Start Your Own After 50 | Jordan Blair

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/fan_mail/new] What exactly IS a podcast? And why are so many people talking about them? If you've ever wondered how to listen to a podcast, where to find one, whether you need Spotify or YouTube, or if podcasts are simply people talking on the phone, this conversation is for you. Host Marqueeta Curtis-Haynes sits down with Jordan Blair, Podcast Producer at Buzzsprout, one of the leading podcast hosting platforms and the home of the Ageless Glamour Girls™ Podcast since its launch. Jordan is also co-host of Buzzcast, where she helps creators better understand podcasting, audience growth, consistency, monetization, and building successful indie shows. Together, they discuss: • What podcasts are - and what they aren't • How to listen and watch on today's most popular platforms • Why adults 55+ are among the fastest-growing podcast audiences • The role of YouTube in podcast discovery • Common technology fears and misconceptions • What equipment you really need (hint: probably less than you think!) • How podcasts help us stay connected, informed, and engaged • What it takes to start a podcast of your own • Podcast growth, monetization, and avoiding creator burnout Whether you're curious about podcasts, thinking about becoming a guest, or wondering if your own life experiences could become a podcast someday, this episode will help you better understand one of today's fastest-growing forms of media. Because your voice, your wisdom, and your story still matter. And yes, of course, we need more Ageless Glamour Girls™ on the MIC! Listen now and join the conversation. CHEERS to Healthy Aging and Joyful Living, Luvvies! ******************** About Our Guest: Jordan Blair | Podcast Producer, Buzzsprout; Host, BuzzCast I’m Jordan Blair, the podcast producer at Buzzsprout and co-host of BuzzCast, where we break down what’s happening in podcasting and translate it into practical, creator-friendly advice. I’ve been podcasting for 7 years and have produced 6 podcasts, and I love helping indie creators solve the stuff that all podcasters face: inconsistent content creation, lack of listener engagement, and monetization that feels out of reach. My approach is friendly and grounded in real workflows, examples from my own personal mistakes, and strategies that work even when you don’t have a big team. I’ve spoken at Podcast Movement on monetization strategy (“Sponsorships, Subscriptions, or Support? Choose the Right Monetization Strategy for Your Podcast”), and on how indie podcasters can rival the pros through smart branding, marketing, and monetizing. I also taught PodConf’s “Pitch Your Podcast!” session on landing sponsorships without sounding salesy, including cold email tips and templates. Connect with Jordan Blair & Buzzsprout: https://buzzcast.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/resources Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/support] Support Ageless Glamour Girls™: * www.agelessglamourgirls.com [http://www.agelessglamourgirls.com/]         * www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes [http://www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes]        * https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls]  * https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls [https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls]       * Instagram @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.instagram.com/agelessglamourgirls/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls [https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls] * Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe [https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe] * TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.tiktok.com/@agelessglamourgirls] * Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls™ and Purple Tulip Media, LLC

The Life You Save Could Be Someone You Love | CPR, AEDs & Life-Saving Skills with Pamela Isom

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/fan_mail/new] Welcome to Season 7 of the Ageless Glamour Girls™ Podcast! How many of you take care of your grandchildren or other youngsters - or occasionally babysit them? Come on - most kids love spending time with their grandparents. And what would YOU do if they - or someone you loved - suddenly stopped breathing... or started choking? It's a question most of us hope we'll never have to answer. But when an emergency happens, every second counts. Ahead of the official start of summer... and in recognition of National CPR & AED Awareness Week, Ageless Glamour Girls™ Podcast Host Marqueeta Curtis-Haynes sits down with Pamela Isom, President and CEO of ICE Safety Solutions, to discuss the life-saving skills every family should know. A former biologist turned entrepreneur, Pam shares her remarkable journey into the world of CPR, First Aid, and AED training, and explains why emergency preparedness isn't just for healthcare professionals. It's for all of us. In this episode, we discuss: • Why so many adults have never been trained in CPR • What CPR and AEDs actually do • Why people freeze during emergencies • Common choking emergencies involving children • What grandparents, caregivers, and families should know • Family reunions, church groups, and community preparedness • How to get started with CPR and First Aid training Whether you're a grandmother, an ageless auntie, a caregiver, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, this conversation could help you gain the confidence to respond when every second counts. Because the life you save could belong to someone you love. CHEERS to Healthy Aging and Joyful Living, Luvvies! ************ GUEST BIO: Pamela Isom, President/CEO,   ICE Safety Solutions  Est. 1999.  https://www.getice.com/   Since she was a young girl Pam had one focus: “To be sure no one around her became ill, injured or would lose a life” Pamela fell in love with safety when she was 16 years old while working as a lifeguard, where she was exposed to CPR Training. Her life changing moment came when she used her CPR skills to recognize her father was suffering congestive heart failure and she leaped into action! Ms. Isom earned a degree in Biological Sciences from University of California Davis, while also earning a 4-time NCAA All-American status in Cross Country and the 1500M and 3000M. Following her athletic career Pamela started her career as a scientist in Cardiovascular Pharmacology working on the popular anti- inflammatory Aleve and the antiviral Tamiflu.  After 8 years in research, she left her career with the birth of her daughter and started ICE Safety Solutions, with the focus on providing life safety training for corporations across the US.  Fast forward 27 years, ICE Safety Solutions is a nationally ranked safety company executing innovative & transformational VR/AR safety trainings, safety plans, and PPE in the areas of emergency response planning, training, execution, evacuation, active shooter, natural disasters and medical emergencies.  Notable clientele includes Salesforce, NBA, EY, Honda, Oracle, CA Water Service, Cupertino Electric, Truebeck Construction, Golden State Warriors, Allstate, Toyota & Honda Financial and other Fortune 1000 companies. In 2017, ICE Safety Solutions received national recognition as the National Minority Business Enterprise of the Year and in 2018 acknowledged by the National Association of Women Business Owners, California as Business of the Year and Woman Owned Business Northern CA in  2019, 2020 and 2021.  In 2024, Pamela Isom has been recognized by the Woman Owned Business Enterprise Council Pacific Northwest (WBEC Pacific) STAR award. 2025 NMSDC Supplier of the Year, Class II, Finalist. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1957181/support] Support Ageless Glamour Girls™: * www.agelessglamourgirls.com [http://www.agelessglamourgirls.com/]         * www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes [http://www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes]        * https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls]  * https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls [https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls]       * Instagram @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.instagram.com/agelessglamourgirls/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls [https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls] * Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe [https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe] * TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls [https://www.tiktok.com/@agelessglamourgirls] * Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls™ and Purple Tulip Media, LLC