Her Next Act ~ Right Here, Right Now

What happens when you follow a middle-of-the-night idea and trust yourself enough to see where it leads?

In this episode of Her Next Act, Joan sits down with Stephanie Wilson, founder of 31 Daily, cookbook author, former broadcast journalist, private chef, and storyteller, to discuss creativity, reinvention, and building a fulfilling life in midlife and beyond.

Ten years ago, Stephanie launched 31 Daily after a late-night moment of inspiration. What began as a simple place to collect recipes evolved into a thriving online community reaching thousands of readers around the world. Along the way, she discovered that...

In this special solo episode of Her Next Act, Joan shares a brief personal update and takes listeners behind the scenes of a milestone that has been generations in the making.

While Her Next Act typically features inspiring conversations with women navigating reinvention, purpose, and new beginnings, this week Joan is stepping away from her regular interview format to focus on an extraordinary family celebration: the 250th anniversary of The Griswold Inn in Essex, Connecticut.

Known affectionately as "The Gris," The Griswold Inn has welcomed guests since 1776 and remains one of America's most historic inns...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with cognitive psychologist Dr. Alicia Farrell for a second time on the podcast. In this episode they share personal stories of loss and resilience, setting the stage for insightful discussions. They explore how various types of loss, from identity and purpose to the death of loved ones, affect our lives and how resilience can be nurtured. The conversation delves into strategies for processing grief, the importance of expressing negative emotions, and how seemingly insurmountable challenges can lead to personal growth...

In this episode of Her Next Act, Joan Paul sits down with award-winning playwright, author, and lyricist Robin Pullen to explore how curiosity, creativity, and collaboration can fuel a thriving second act well into your 60s and beyond.

If you've ever quietly held onto a childhood dream, or wondered whether it's too late, this conversation will encourage you to start.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that creativity has no expiration date, and that the dreams we tuck away in childhood often have a way of finding us again, more vividly and when we collaborate...

In conversation with Lindsey Goldstein, author of Gap Year 

In this episode of Her Next Act, Joan Paul sits down with author Lindsey Goldstein to explore what it really means to start over in midlife.

If you’ve ever wondered who you are beyond the roles you’ve held, mother, partner, professional this conversation will resonate deeply.

Lindsey shares the story behind her debut novel Gap Year, a powerful reflection on identity, reinvention, and the courage it takes to follow the quiet pull of “what if.” Together, Joan and Lindsey dive into the...

What if the life you’re trying to create starts with the space you’re living in?

In this episode of Her Next Act, Joan sits down with Kim Costa, realtor, author, and creator of the Wheel House™ method, to explore how our homes shape not only how we live, but who we become.

Kim’s journey is a powerful example of what it looks like to realign your life from the inside out. From working decades in a career that didn’t fit, to rebuilding her life in midlife and stepping into work that feels deep...

What if one decision could open the door to an entirely new life?

In this episode of Her Next Act, Joan sits down with Eliza Clark, creative director, entrepreneur, and co-owner of the stunning Foxfire Mountain House and Lost Fox Inn.

Eliza’s story is a powerful reminder that reinvention doesn’t require certainty it requires attention, courage, and a willingness to say yes to possibility.

From her early days as a novelist and television producer to building a hospitality brand in her 50s and beyond, Eliza shares how each chapter of her life...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul speaks with Tracey Willis Gates, author and Life and Wellness Coach, about her journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of kind words. 

Tracey details how she transitioned into becoming a Life Coach in her fifties and how this led her to embark on a year-long journey of writing letters of appreciation for 365 consecutive days. They discuss the profound effects of this practice on Tracey’s own relationships and overall well-being, as well as for the recipients of her appreciation notes. Tracey also sha...

Joan Paul sits down with author, radio host, speaker, performer, and podcast creator Randye Kaye for a conversation about creativity, resilience, and reinventing yourself at every stage of life.

Randye shares her multi-decade journey from folk singer and actor to radio personality, author, advocate, and podcaster, proving that it’s never too late to explore new ideas, pivot careers, or pursue meaningful work. Together, Joan and Randye explore how curiosity, courage, and community can help women in midlife and beyond continue to grow, contribute, and thrive.

This conversation also touches on deeply personal experiences, including na...

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul sits down with Dr. Karin Drescher, a longtime anesthesiologist and educator, to explore what it looks like to evolve a calling after decades in medicine without walking away from it entirely.

After more than 35 years practicing anesthesiology in an academic medical center, Dr. Drescher began asking deeper questions about health, longevity, and what truly helps people thrive as they age. Her curiosity led her to certification through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and into a powerful next act rooted in prevention, education, and purpose.

...

In this episode of Her Next Act, Joan Paul sits down with Kim Thomas, founder of New England Coastal Creative, to explore what it truly means to embrace creativity in midlife and use it as a force for connection, confidence, and community.

Kim’s next act emerged from lived experience, career pivots, creative risk-taking, and a deep desire to build the kind of community she once needed herself. What started as a spark grew into a thriving creative collective that now brings together women founders, artists, entrepreneurs, and influencers across New England.

Episode Highlights...

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul closes out Season One with gratitude, reflection, and a deep sense of fulfillment. Sitting on Amelia Island, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean the same place she launched this podcast one year ago Joan celebrates the full-circle moment of completing 27 episodes and a year-long commitment to sharing stories of courage, reinvention, and possibility.

Joan reflects on how Her Next Act began with a simple idea that wouldn’t let her go, a spark that grew into a platform for women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond to share how th...

In this inspiring episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul sits down with Monya Elgart, an optometrist turned visionary land steward who is courageously redefining what life can look like after fifty. 

Following a Gray Divorce, Monya chose to reinvent rather than retreat; purchasing an 85-acre farm and transforming it into Durham Equestrian, a poetic sanctuary for horses, humans, and healing.

Joan and Monya explore what it means to pursue a dream in progress, how to navigate uncertainty, rebuild confidence, and honor both joy and struggle along the way. Their conversation reveals the courage i...

Do you relate to Lydia as a seeker, always reaching for the highest expression of herself? Follow the show so you don't miss an inspiring conversation with women continuing to create their next act, committed to growth. Your follow will also help other women discover the show. Follow the show on Apple podcasts.

In this week’s episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul welcomes Lydia Dean, humanitarian, author, and co-founder of GoPhilanthropic Foundation and Ethos Journeys. Lydia shares her extraordinary path from building a picture-perfect life in Florida to letting it all go in...

In this heartfelt episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul reflects on her recent return from co-hosting a women’s retreat in the south of France with her cousin, Jenn Wolcott of Local Rendezvous Travel. What unfolded over those days was more than travel, food, and breathtaking views it was a profound reminder of the power of community, courage, and shared experience in navigating life’s transitions.

Surrounded by ten women, each carrying her own story, Joan witnessed the full spectrum of life: deep belly laughs, tender tears, and honest conversations about change, grief, new chapters, and...

In this solo episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul reflects on the seasons of change we all experience whether it’s children leaving home, shifting careers, aging, or simply moving through life’s natural cycles and how these transitions, while often uncomfortable, can become powerful invitations to growth.

Drawing from her own journey as a woman in her sixties, Joan shares how she’s learned to see change not as loss but as an opening. By reframing transitions as entry points, she shows how we can release what no longer serves us, create space for what’s...

How one woman found her next act in her 50s, guiding people through healing and life transitions with the wisdom of horses.

In this inspiring episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul sits down with Patty Ganey, co-founder of The Next Step in Lyme, Connecticut, to explore how horses help us reconnect with authenticity, release old stories, and embrace the power of being fully present.

Patty shares her journey from corporate life and raising a family to pursuing her lifelong passion for horses in midlife, and how that passion grew into a powerful program...

How one woman turned her passion for health into a mission-driven business after 50.

In this inspiring episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul sits down with change-maker, entrepreneur, and health advocate Gwyn Whittaker. After a 35-year career in the tech industry including founding a counter-terrorism company after 9/11  Gwyn experienced a devastating personal loss that became the catalyst for her next chapter.

Today as the founder and CEO of GreenFare Organic Café, she’s leading a movement to help people reclaim their health and vitality through plant-based living, community education, and lifestyle medicine. Her story is o...

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In this heart-opening episode, I sit down with visual artist and author Moya Aiken to explore what it means to live a creative, meaningful life especially as we age. From growing up in an Irish family in a tough English housing project, to realizing her dream of moving to America and becoming a working artist, Moya shares her story of grit, grief, and grace. 

Enjoying this conversation? Tap here to follow Her Next Act on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Your follow helps more women discover these empowering stories! Follow on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul sits down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Bostwick for a conversation about finding the courage to pursue one's dreams, despite perceived or real obstacles in life.

Marie’s latest novel, The Book Club for Troublesome Women, is one she calls  the “book of her life”— and it’s resonating...

Loving Sue’s story? Follow Her Next Act on Apple Podcasts to stay connected with more conversations that inspire your next act! Follow on Apple Podcasts.

In this inspiring episode, host Joan Paul is joined by Sue Skelly founder of Women Who Walk the World and a passionate guide for women seeking personal transformation through travel and adventure.

Sue’s next act began with a spark that was planted decades ago: a dream to one day walk the Camino.. That quiet promise eventually blossomed into a full-circle journey one that not only changed her life but...

In this empowering episode, host Joan Paul is joined by Allison Carmen – author, mindset coach, and host of the podcast 10 Minutes to Less Suffering.

Allison shares how her next act began with a subtle yet life-changing shift in mindset. From being addicted to certainty to embracing the powerful possibilities of maybe. 

As a high-achieving attorney, Allison spent years gripped by anxiety and the fear of the unknown. But an impactful parable about a farmer and his horse opened a door to a whole new way of thinking.

She reveals how adopting a “maybe” mindset...

In this inspiring episode host Joan Paul is joined by Denise Gordon - entrepreneur and co-host of the Skiptown All-Stars Travel Podcast (name change to I Could Live Here.) 

As a new empty-nester, Denise launched her next act when she and her husband James embarked on a nomadic adventure across America in search of their "forever home". They sold nearly everything they owned, left their careers in LA, and hit the open road with nothing but curiosity, a minivan, and a list of "maybes." Rather spontaneously, they decided to start a podcast - Skiptown All-Stars Travel Podcast (n...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Joan Paul is joined by Tracy Tighe Johnston, cancer survivor, community leader, and founder of Tighed Together, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating trauma. Tracy opens up about her deeply personal journey through illness, healing, and how she transformed pain into purpose by building a trauma-informed organization rooted in play, presence and emotional support.

Tighed Together meets each family where they are, with compassion, respect, and individualized care. Tracy explains how their team listens, collaborates, and facilitates experiences that help families speak openly about their shared traumas. Every family...

In this inspiring and personal episode, Joan is in conversation with Kristine Ochu, author, speaker, resilience coach, and “Modern-Day LumberJill”. While fully immersed in competitive log rolling in her youth, she discovered the power of positive psychology which would be a springboard to what she is doing today.

Kristine shares her incredible story from growing up in a community where the World Lumberjack Championships were held, to a successful career in corporate HR, moving through divorce, many years as a single mother, and living with an unexpected health challenge. All of these experiences ultimately led to her desi...

Feeling inspired by Donna’s story? Follow Her Next Act on Apple Podcasts to join our community of women stepping into their next act. Follow on Apple Podcasts.

What would you do if you were given a second chance? In this heart-centered episode, Joan sits down with Donna Paz Kaufman, co-owner of Story & Song and founder of Paz & Associates, to explore how a lifelong love of books, a near-death experience, and a leap of faith led Donna to create a vibrant community and cultural center on Amelia Island.

Donna shares how her first visit to a...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with author advocate Kathie Bennett. Kathie shares how she transitioned from a 35-year career as a flight attendant to becoming a successful literary publicist in her mid-fifties and the pivotal moments that took her there. The episode highlights Kathie's early influences from her grandmother’s audacious move to found a library in the upstairs of a Piggly Wiggly (grocery store) in her mid-fifties, to legendary author Pat Conroy who gave her the confidence to pursue her vision. Her upbringing emphasized de...

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In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul shares the personal journey that led her to start a podcast focused on women's next acts in life. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life’s transitions, Joan discusses how stumbling upon the book When to Jump by Mike Lewis inspired her path. She reveals the key epiphanies that motivated he...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with cognitive psychologist Dr. Alicia Farrell for a second time on the podcast. In this episode they share personal stories of loss and resilience, setting the stage for insightful discussions. They explore how various types of loss, from identity and purpose to the death of loved ones, affect our lives and how resilience can be nurtured. The conversation delves into strategies for processing grief, the importance of expressing negative emotions, and how seemingly insurmountable challenges can lead to personal growth...

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul talks with artist Melissa Barbieri about her lifelong creative journey. From childhood sketches to professional masterpieces, Melissa shares the inspirations, challenges, and pivotal moments that have shaped her work including:

➔ Early Inspirations

➔ Overcoming Doubt

➔ An Unconventional Career

➔ The Power of Art as Therapy

➔ A Health Diagnosis as Springboard to Creative Evolution

Website: Melissa Barbieri: https://www.melissabarbieri.com/

Instagram: @melissabarbieri

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul sits down with Debra Baribault, founder of Live by Water, Make Waves, to explore how life can lead us down unexpected paths. At a certain point, we often realize there is something more meaningful to pursue, something we are truly passionate about.

In her 50s, Debra felt the need for change. She revisited an idea she had held onto for years, creating a business that reflected her love for the ocean while raising awareness about protecting our waterways. Through creativity, persistence, and past business experience, she transformed...

In this episode of Her Next Act, host Joan Paul and guest Victoria Lawler discuss the importance of nutrition and its profound impact on vitality, mood, and overall well-being - foundational to living a more vibrant life.

Victoria, a functional nutritionist, shares her journey from childhood influences to overcoming personal health challenges, ultimately pursuing a “next act” to help others navigate this complex but critical area of our lives.

The episode provides listeners with an introduction to food and supplements as they pertain to our health, providing information on “best” nutritional practices and the benefits of a hol...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul speaks with Jenn Wolcott about her inspiring journey from childhood to adulthood, unwittingly following the bread crumbs of inspiration.

Jenn Wolcott founded her travel company in her mid 50s, providing her with a rich and rewarding “next act” in so many respects. The episode chronicles early influences, and the serendipitous events that led her to launch her tour business. Jenn’s story offers encouragement to women looking to embark on their own next acts later in life. Look into your own “Bank of Inspirat...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul speaks with Tracey Willis Gates, author and Life and Wellness Coach, about her journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of kind words. 

Tracey details how she transitioned into becoming a Life Coach in her fifties and how this led her to embark on a year-long journey of writing letters of appreciation for 365 consecutive days. They discuss the profound effects of this practice on Tracey’s own relationships and overall well-being, as well as for the recipients of her appreciation notes. Tracey also sha...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul speaks with Cynthia Delia Coddington about her inspiring journey of transitioning from a successful long-time career in financial services to becoming an award-winning cookbook author. 

Cindy shares her experiences of retirement, which she reframes as a 'restart,' and discusses the importance of self-reinvention, continued learning and personal growth, and following one's passions. Her venture into publishing a gluten-free Italian cookbook, sparked by a serendipitous meeting with co-author Josephine Provenzano Hoppe, is detailed, along with the challenges and successes of self-publishing. Cindy also t...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with Margaret Evans, award-winning columnist, rewriting the narrative on AGING with humor, honesty and joy. Margaret shares her journey from Boom Beauty ambassador to the creation of her widely-loved Instagram platform, @margaretaginggrayfully. She opens up about her passion for aging authentically, celebrating each stage of life with humor, courage, and positivity.

Together, Joan and Margaret discuss aging as an adventure filled with new possibilities, the profound role social media has played in Margaret’s mission, and the value of...

In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with Rebecca Dwight Bruff, an inspiring author whose debut novel, Trouble the Water, uncovers the remarkable real-life story of Robert Smalls.

The episode explores Rebecca's unexpected journey from Methodist minister to award-winning author, highlighting the unwavering support of her late husband,
the challenges of researching and writing about historical figures, perseverance through personal loss, and the importance of storytelling. Rebecca shares insights
on navigating life's uncertainties and crafting a fulfilling, purpose-driven next act.

➔ Meet Re...

Does this conversation inspire you to consider what your life can look like in this phase of life? Tap here to follow Her Next Act on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Your follow helps more women discover these empowering stories!
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In this episode of HER NEXT ACT ~ Right Here, Right Now, host Joan Paul is in conversation with cognitive psychologist Dr. Alicia Farrell to discuss embracing the vibrancy, freedom, and self-discovery that come with aging. They explore the significance of continuous personal growth, particularly for...

A podcast for women in their 50s, 60s and beyond wanting to be inspired to create a more expansive and fulfilling life. The show features conversations with women who are navigating this sometimes puzzling phase of life and are in the midst of their "next act." You're not too old and it's not too late!

Learn more and follow along with me - Joan Paul

Website: https://hernextact.com/

instagram: @hernextact

facebook: @joanpaul

The Griswold Inn

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