CroneCast

In this episode, Trudy is joined by writer, editor and director Helen Metella to continue the conversation about caring for a loved one with dementia, offering practical insights for caregivers. The conversation covers the nitty gritty details — like paperwork — and creating moments of laughter and delight.

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Trudy is joined by writer, editor and director Helen Metella for a conversation about dementia, caretaking and the roles women play. Trudy and Helen speak candidly about their own experiences caring for mothers with dementia — the strange, the funny and the challenging. 

Helen Metella’s book Marika and the Auction will be published in April 2026.

Share your quest...

It's been six weeks since Lisa's breast cancer diagnosis. In this episode, she and Trudy spend time talking about how the experience of living with cancer is an excellent teacher. Lisa explains how her perspective on life is being shaped and re-shaped every day. Trudy asks about the role her positive attitude plays as she moves toward surgery and treatment. It's an episode about gratitude, attitude, and platitudes. 

We are joined once again by honorary crone Janelle Drisner for a challenging and illuminating conversation. We break down everything from divorce to the concept of personal death awareness to regret — and what valuable teachers these experiences can be. 

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Lisa shares her recent breast cancer diagnosis, her prognosis and the way cancer is shifting her perspective. Lisa and Trudy reflect how illness can change relationships, the way we view the world, and our ability to appreciate the beauty of everyday life. 

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For the first podcast of 2026, Lisa opens the conversation with honesty about how she’s feeling. Who do we turn to when the events of the world feel heavy? How do we face uncertainty — in our lives and in the broader world? 

Lisa and Trudy discuss their responsibilities as crones and the wisdom of age — crones don’t avert their eyes. They act on their intuition and face the world as it is. Tied with a knot. 

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Trudy and Lisa look back on 2025 and talk about what they’ve learned from another year of CroneCast. As they look ahead to 2026, they reflect on the meaning of giving, their deep hopes, and what it takes to be fearless.

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--Credits-- 

How does making friends change over a lifetime? Does your comfort zone work against you? Lisa is back in the studio and joins Trudy for a conversation about friendship — making friends later in life, social scripts about friendship and lessons learned in Italy. 

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Lisa joins Trudy for one final episode from Italy to chat about the fraught nature of generational differences, the generosity and courtesy of Italian culture, and the problem of social media — plus their best tips for cutting onions. 

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The indescribable experience of seeing Michelangelo’s David in person draws Lisa and Trudy into a conversation about the value of rejoicing in life and celebrating ourselves exactly as we are. 

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Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Lisa Austin 

Produc...

Ciao! Lisa joins Trudy virtually from Italy to continue their conversations about courage, being difficult women and the stories we all tell ourselves about our own capacity and limits. 

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Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Lisa Austin 

Prod...

How does one cultivate courage? By being courageous. Lisa and Trudy discuss the resilience of women, taking risks and the need for silent time to listen to your inner voice. 

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Hosted by Trudy Cal...

Lisa and Trudy are joined by prolific author Merilyn Simonds to chat about the benefits of inter-generational friendship, the creative process and why women are so much more than the roles they play.

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--From This Episode–

Walking with Beth: Conversations with My Hundred-Year-Old Friend by Merilyn Simonds 

Woman, Watching: Louise de Kiriline Lawrence and the Songbirds of P...

Lisa and Trudy are joined by Trisha Estabrooks, a communicator, advocate and former school trustee and journalist, for a conversation about the moments on the precipice in life. When there’s a fork in the road, which way do you go? Trisha shares her wisdom from successes and failures, and the challenges of being a woman in politics.  

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--From This Episode–

“Ain’t Li...

To celebrate their 40th episode, Trudy and Lisa are joined by “apprentice crone” Cody Dub to discuss entering the “second trimester” of life. What does it mean to be middle aged? Why is camaraderie between women so important? And how do women manage the squeeze of living in the “sandwich generation”? 

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If I explore my growing edges, how will I have to change? Lisa and Trudy break down the self-limiting beliefs that can hold all of us back — and how important it is to get out of your own way and ask, “Who am I beyond the shape I’m in?”

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--From This Episode--

The Growing Edge by Howard Thurman <...

Psychologist Janelle Drisner brings her unique perspective and sage wisdom to the conversation around loneliness. The cure to loneliness lies within — Janelle takes us to the root of our loneliness and how we can find the connection we crave.

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--From This Episode--

I and Thou by Martin Buber

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Cam...

Trudy and Lisa are joined by executive coach Diane Lloyd to discuss the perils, pleasures and promises of aging as a woman, how menopause impacts women professionally, and how women can step into their power and be visible in midlife. 

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--From This Episode--

On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Go...

Trudy and Lisa discuss the lifelong process of becoming, and wisdom they’ve earned from their crone years. This wide-ranging conversation covers it all, from creating your path with intention, the courage to step outside your comfort zone and why you should try manifesting — even if you aren’t woowoo. 

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Speaking up might earn you a name like “mouthy” or “bitch,” but is it really better to stay silent? Lisa and Trudy discuss the difference between a Karen and a crone, when to speak up and the wisdom one gains with age. 

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There’s a difference between being lonely and being alone. Trudy and Lisa explore the rich possibilities of living alone, approaching life with intention and finding unexpected joys in solo life.

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Hosted by T...

Lisa and Trudy reflect on the women who have shaped them and influenced their lives — and how they’re passing that legacy on. 

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--Credits-- 

Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Lisa Austin 

Produc...

In the second of this two part episode, Lisa continues sharing her journey with her mental illness — and how she found her way back to her brighter, healthier self.  

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In this episode, the first of two parts, Lisa speaks with candor and humour about her struggles with mental health and her journey to mental wellness. For those who have struggled with depression and anxiety, or those who just wish to understand mental illness more deeply, Lisa offers insight and inspiration. 

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Language is many things: fluid, living, open to interpretation. Trudy and Lisa explore new coinages, the importance of challenging patronizing language, and disagree about mansplaining. Our hosts attempt to untangle language’s contradictions and histories, and debate the value of gendered language. 

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It can feel uncomfortable to talk about, but maybe that’s why it’s so fun. Lisa and Trudy get down and dirty about the realities of sex, bodies and aging. Together, our hosts explore how desire shifts over our lifetimes, confronting ageism and sexism, and women’s agency. 

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--From This Episode-- 

Hags: The Demonisation of Middle-Aged Women by Victoria Smith

...

Registered psychologist, longtime activist and Edmonton icon Liz Massiah chats with Trudy and Lisa about helping friends & community members talk about trauma, the gay and lesbian community in Edmonton in the 80s, where 2SLGBTQ+ rights are today — and what allies can do to defend the community. 

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--From This Episode-- 

1. Rule, Jane. (1985) A Hot-Eyed Moderate. Naiad Pr. Tallahassee, USA.

Boundaries make nourishing relationships possible — regardless of what our guilty feelings might tell us when we set those boundaries. Our guest for part two of this conversation, Registered Psychologist Janelle Drisner, helps us grapple with the tension between human limitations and unconditional love. This time, Janelle dives deeper into the complexities and limitations of relationships, how we show up for each other and the necessary, uncomfortable work of articulating our boundaries — in pursuit of more authentic relationships.

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Boundaries tell us where I end and you begin, says our guest, Registered Psychologist Janelle Drisner. But what is a boundary really? Should we have expectations in relationships? And how do you cultivate your relationship with yourself?

Trudy and Lisa sit down with Janelle, for the first of a two part episode to answer — or at least begin to understand — these questions and more. Janelle takes us beyond psychological buzzwords into a truly fascinating conversation that challenges us all to think about relationships in new ways. 

Read our blog: Crone...

At the end of your life, what will you regret — the things you’ve done or the things you didn’t do? What kept you from doing things you wanted to do? Lisa and Trudy explore regret, fear and the wisdom of aging through a discussion of Bronnie Ware’s memoir The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying. 

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Søren Kierkegaard

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Krista Vernoff, executive producer and former showrunner of Grey’s Anatomy, is bored of people who aren’t women over 50. She walks Trudy and Lisa through what it is to live a creative life and how giving yourself permission to make art and make mistakes is everything. 

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If you asked 10 people to define what hope is, you’d probably get 10 different definitions. We think we know what hope is, but do we really? Is hoping for something unrealistic? Are wishing and hoping the same thing? Can you manifest something into being through hope? These are just some of the questions Trudy and Lisa pose to University of Alberta Faculty of Education Associate Dean (Research) and professor Dr. Denise Larsen about her research into hope. Even if you’re not a naturally hopeful person, Dr. Larsen tells us how we can build “hope skills” and how fostering hope in...

After her husband died, Molly Peacock decided solitude would be her next husband. Trudy and Lisa continue their conversation with Molly about her new book of poems, The Widow’s Crayon Box. They discuss the growth and freedom that can come with grief, finding pleasure in solitude and coming into one’s cronage. 

The Widow’s Crayon Box is published by WW Norton and is available wherever you buy books.

Molly has received awards from the Danforth Foundation, the Ingram Merrill Foundation, the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Nat...

For grieving people, processing loss through creativity can open doors to healing. In this episode, Trudy and Lisa engage in a lively and illuminating conversation with poet and biographer Molly Peacock about her new book of poems, The Widow’s Crayon Box. This book of poetry is a deeply personal and moving chronicle of Molly’s journey before, during and after the death of her beloved husband. Molly realized she was not living the perceived idea of a widow’s mauve existence, but was experiencing life in all colours. The Widow’s Crayon Box is published by WW Norton and is a...

The conversation centers on creativity for people of a certain age. Lisa is inspired by a writing workshop led by Krista Vernoff, so she and Trudy explore the challenges and obstacles to creativity, such as societal expectations and the publishing industry's youth-driven focus. If creativity is inherent, shouldn’t it be pursued regardless of age? Lisa shares her experience learning Italian and the importance of starting small. They highlight the need for "margins" in life to engage in creative activities and encourage listeners to embrace their creative potential without fear of being too late or questioning the point of th...

Trudy and Lisa discuss the positive feedback the episode about grief received from listeners of all ages and experiences. Trudy talks about the wonderful and unexpected engagement from diverse listeners. They also reflect on the importance of inclusive spaces and our evolving roles and identities as we age. A rousing debate about the necessity of having some women-only spaces versus only inclusive ones ensues, with Trudy emphasizing her desire to participate in spaces with all genders. Both hosts highlight the importance of adapting to new technologies while maintaining a sense of joy and adventure in life.

Read...

Trudy and Lisa turn their eyes to the ebb and flow of relationships as they navigate absent loved ones and changing friendships over time. 

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--Chapters--
(00:00) - Intro (03:59) - Cycles (09:37) - Grace (15:01) - Reciprocity (17:14) - Ebbs + Flows (22:03) - Stages (24:44) - Shared Experiences (29:36) - Close

--References--    

Our younger selves may have had more stamina, but they’ve got nothing on our experience. Trudy and Lisa explore the idea of competing with the younger self and finding strength in their cronage.

See the clip of Jodie Foster’s full quote: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AynbA4j99NE 

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--Chapters-- 

When words don’t feel right, we are left to action. Trudy shares what she learned from those who supported her through the loss of her husband in the best ways they knew how — comforting efforts, clumsy advice and all.

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--Chapters-- 
(00:00) - Intro (02:21) - Words (08:08) - Funerals (12:38) - Hospital Staff (17:08) - Acts of Kindness (23:37) - Carrying Forward (27:38) - Get Over It (31:14) - Kinds of Grief (35:21) - Clos...

A beautiful and deeply moving conversation, this episode is Trudy’s story of losing her husband. For those who are acquainted with grief and for those who’ve yet to face the death of someone they love, this is one crone’s vulnerable recounting of the days leading up to a life changing loss.

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Read this show's blog at CroneCast.ca for in-depth thoughts on topics covered in this episode.

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