Life. Reimagined. with Stacey Ray

"When a woman finds her strength and continues to go, she will eventually succeed."

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Stacey sits down with Wendy Alexander—career coach, activist, and survivor—to explore her extraordinary life journey. Born and raised in apartheid-era South Africa, Wendy shares how early encounters with racial injustice shaped her spirit of resistance and ultimately forged the foundation of her purpose. From leading youth protests to surviving domestic violence and financial ruin, Wendy’s story is one of incredible resilience and radical reinvention.

Listeners will gain intimate insight into Wendy’s transi...

"Big and small dreams are worth paying attention to – everyone deserves joy, however they choose to find it."

In this deeply moving and empowering episode, Stacey reconnects with her cousin, Alison Krupnick, whose life story unfolds across continents, careers, and challenges. From her time as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer working on the frontlines of refugee resettlement, to navigating multiple cancer diagnoses, to her bold relocation to Portugal, Alison shares how she continually embraced change, pursued meaning, and reclaimed joy. The conversation traverses topics like international diplomacy, healthcare inequity, the reinvention of identity post-career and motherhood, an...

“Caregiving isn’t about perfection—it’s about doing your best, choosing to care, and finding ways to keep your own tank full along the way.”

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Amy Goyer, AARP's National Family and Caregiving Expert, shares her decades-long journey of caring for multiple family members while also working full-time. From supporting her grandparents with Alzheimer's to navigating her parents' complex health issues, and even serving as the primary caregiver for her sister, Amy's story is filled with lessons on resilience, love, loss, and the critical importance of self-care. She and host Stacey exp...

Hollywood, Hormones & Reinventing Life After 50

In this poignant and wildly engaging episode of Life. Reimagined., host Stacey sits down with the ever-insightful and endlessly witty Constance McCashin. Best known for her role as Laura Avery on the long-running primetime soap Knots Landing, Constance opens up about her bold pivot from Hollywood actress to licensed therapist. Together, they explore themes of aging in the spotlight, the marginalization of mature women in media, the deeply personal influence of her sister with Down syndrome, and the profound power of human connection. This is more than a conversation—it’s a trib...

"It’s never too late to find your marvelous."

In this inspiring and laugh-out-loud episode, Stacey sits down with Felicia Madison, stand-up comedian, comedy booker, and the force behind the West Side Comedy Club and FUNY (Funny University of New York). Once a stay-at-home mom who felt like something was missing, Felicia took a leap in her 50s to try stand-up comedy—and never looked back. From her first class to running a top NYC club, Felicia shares how she transformed midlife uncertainty into a thriving comedy career. The two delve into ageism in comedy, the thrill (and...

"Photography creates legacy on both sides of the lens. When it captures your essence, it proves that version of you exists."

In this inspiring episode of Life. Reimagined., host Stacey chats with internationally awarded Master Photographer, educator, and creative entrepreneur Cat Ford-Coates. From a bullied teen to a global visual storyteller, Cat shares her unconventional journey into portrait photography, her brief detour into opera and sake brewing, and how photography ultimately became her soul-aligned calling. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the transformative power of seeing and being seen. Learn how Cat empowers individuals...

"From academic death sentence to unstoppable resilience, Ellen Busch reveals how she rewrote her life story."

In this powerful and transformative episode, host Stacey sits down with Ellen Busch—author, coach, speaker, and survivor—to explore her remarkable journey of overcoming dyslexia, surviving an abusive marriage, and forging a life of empowerment. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a time when it was poorly understood, Ellen was told she had no future. 

With the unwavering support of her parents, she defied expectations, earning advanced degrees and excelling in healthcare and technology. Her story takes a turn through deep...

“Reinvention isn’t about starting over—it’s about evolving into the fullest version of ourselves.”

In this illuminating episode of Life. Reimagined with Stacey Ray, Stacey sits down with two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and creative powerhouse Shannon Malone-deBenedictis. Known for her heart-stirring documentaries like Penguin Town, Secrets of the Whales, and Inside the Mind of a Cat, Shannon opens up about her personal and professional journey—one marked by reinvention, resilience, and radical authenticity.

Together, they explore the emotional depths of wildlife storytelling, Shannon’s transition from high-powered network executive to founder of Padlin Creative, and...

"I put fear below purpose — I did it scared, but the purpose was more important than how I felt."

In this inspiring episode of Life. Reimagined., Stacey welcomes Sarah Pittendrigh, a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, mindset coach, motivational speaker, and author, to share her incredible journey from bankruptcy to business triumph and personal fulfillment. Sarah opens up about the life-shattering challenges she faced — from the collapse of a business that left her bankrupt and homeless as a single mother, to overcoming malignant melanoma twice — and how she found resilience, purpose, and success through it all. Together, Stacey and Sarah explor...

“You don't have to be whole on the outside to be beautifully complete on the inside."

In this deeply moving episode, Christine Handy returns to the podcast to share the next chapter of her incredible journey from breast cancer survivor to best-selling author, fashion disruptor, and motivational powerhouse. Stacey and Christine dive into how Christine transformed personal tragedy into a mission of hope, love, and advocacy.

From facing over 29 surgeries to walking the runways of New York Fashion Week with a concave chest, Christine redefines courage and beauty. She shares insights into her book "Walk Be...

“It took nearly dying to realize how much I want to live.”

In this deeply moving episode, Christine Handy shares her extraordinary journey from a successful modeling career to facing life-altering health challenges, including a breast cancer diagnosis.

Christine opens up about her transformation from focusing on external beauty to discovering inner strength and purpose. She discusses her battles with illness, the power of faith and friendship, and her mission to inspire others through her story. Listeners will gain insight into Christine's resilience, her return to the modeling world post-recovery, and her dedication to empowering othe...

"There is no timeline for grief—only the courage to feel, heal, and keep walking forward."

In this deeply heartfelt episode, host Stacey sits down with beloved actress and singer Ilene Graff for an intimate conversation about love, loss, and the raw journey of widowhood. Ilene shares poignant stories of her late husband, composer Ben Lanzarone, and the profound partnership they shared in life and music. The conversation unfolds into a powerful exploration of grief, identity, and healing, as Stacey and Ilene connect over their shared experiences of losing their life partners to cancer.

They di...

"Whether you're navigating TSA lines or dining in a foreign country, Laurie brings practical advice and heartfelt stories to help every traveler feel prepared, respectful, and inspired."

In this engaging episode, Stacey sits down with travel educator and content creator Laurie of Travel Tips by Laurie to explore the art and mindset of modern travel. From her journey into content creation sparked by a trip to Waco, Texas, to her now-thriving YouTube channel, Laurie shares how she evolved her platform to become a go-to resource for travelers of all types. 

The conversation touches on essential to...

In this raw, revelatory conversation, fitness icon and truth-teller Susan Powter joins the show for a deep dive into life after fame, motherhood, resilience, and the cost of authenticity in a world that prefers polished over powerful. Susan became a household name in the 90s with her platinum buzz cut and explosive call to “Stop the Insanity!” But behind the bestselling books, national TV appearances, and cultural stardom lies a fierce, intelligent, and deeply self-aware woman who defied the odds, dismantled the fitness industry’s toxic myths, and reclaimed her voice after being “produced out of herself.”

In this wi...

"We are invincible, not invisible — and we don’t need anyone’s permission to live gloriously."

In this energizing and unfiltered conversation, Stacey sits down with creative powerhouse and Glorious Broads founder Maryjane Fahey to explore what it really means to age with purpose, boldness, and zero apologies. From navigating careers in creative industries to rewriting the script on sex, self-worth, and sensuality post-50, this episode is a masterclass in embracing your full self at every stage of life. Maryjane and Stacey share their personal experiences with reinvention, solitude, grief, and growth, offering listeners both laughter and profound insight.

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In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Stacey sits down with Alyce Chan—stand-up comedian, speaker, writer, and the powerhouse behind the wildly popular MOMCOMNYC. From her childhood as a shy, second-language learner navigating immigrant family dynamics to commanding the stage at major comedy clubs, Alyce opens up about her journey to self-expression through comedy.

The conversation dives deep into motherhood, intergenerational expectations, cultural identity, and the healing power of laughter. Alyce shares behind-the-scenes stories of her early days performing dirty jokes to classmates, using humor to manage trauma, and the growth of her online platform during COVID-19. Sh...

Content warning: This episode includes discussions about domestic violence, partner abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, suicidal ideation, and mental health challenges. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, consider using discretion or seeking support.

In this emotionally powerful and deeply informative episode, Stacey sits down with Shulamit Ber Levtov, also known as The Entrepreneurs’ Therapist, to unpack the often unspoken and complex link between trauma and money. Through Shulamit’s personal stories—surviving abuse, navigating a math learning disability, enduring medical trauma, and rebuilding life as a single parent—we explo...

In this powerful and heartwarming episode of Life. Reimagined., host Stacey sits down with Macaulee Cassaday, the inspiring co-founder and current Seniors Program Director of Cyber-Seniors, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the digital divide for older adults through intergenerational mentorship and tech training.

Macaulee shares the origin story of Cyber-Seniors, from a high school volunteer project inspired by her grandparents to an internationally recognized movement fueled by empathy, innovation, and youth leadership. She candidly reflects on her personal journey—including her and her grandfather’s shared battle with cancer—and how technology became a lifeline for connection and healing.

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In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode, Stacey sits down with Joan MacDonald, a global fitness inspiration who began her transformative journey at the age of 70. Once struggling with high blood pressure, arthritis, and multiple medications, Joan turned her life around with the support of her daughter Michelle, a professional coach and bodybuilder. Now in her late 70s, Joan has not only shed over 65 pounds and gained incredible strength, but she's also amassed a following of millions and become a symbol of resilience and renewal.

Together, Stacey and Joan delve into ageism, mental and physical health, and...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Stacey Ray sits down with Angelique Miles, a former music industry powerhouse turned fitness and wellness icon. From helping launch the careers of Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Timbaland, to facing the collapse of her career after the industry shifted, Angelique shares what it truly means to start over. But the biggest twist? A sudden and shocking brain tumor diagnosis in her late 50s. Through it all, Angelique has remained a beacon of strength, resilience, and grace. This conversation dives into her music industry legacy, her unexpected wellness career, and the courageous...

"It's not the circumstances that bind us—it’s the emotions. And once I realized that, I understood how much more I had to give." — Laurie White

In this riveting and emotional episode, Stacey sits down with Laurie White, a trailblazing former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, whose extraordinary story of resilience will leave you speechless. In 1998, Laurie’s life changed in an instant when she was shot while executing a search warrant—an event that led to the amputation of her right leg. But this wasn’t the end of her story. Instead, it was the beginning of...

“The only thing I did wrong was say hello.”

In this powerful and emotional episode, host Stacey Ray sits down with Debby Montgomery Johnson — an Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, author, and leading advocate for victims of online romance scams. Debby shares her incredible journey from grief and deception to empowerment and advocacy. After losing her husband unexpectedly, she sought companionship through online dating — only to become the victim of a two-year-long international romance scam that cost her over $1 million.

But Debby refused to be defined by shame or silence. Instead, she used her experience to educate others and advo...

Walking Beyond Borders with Alice Morrison

“Adventure is about embracing the unknown—no matter your age, gender, or background.”

Episode Description

In this inspiring episode of Life Reimagined, host Stacey Ray welcomes the extraordinary Alice Morrison, a real-life explorer known as “Indiana Jones for Girls.” Alice left behind a successful career to fully embrace adventure, traversing some of the most remote and challenging landscapes on Earth. From cycling across Africa to walking thousands of miles across the Middle East and North Africa, she pushes the limits of endurance and immerses herself in cultures most of us...

Episode Description: In this inspiring episode of Life. Reimagined., we sit down with Lori Helke, travel writer, author, and advocate for solo female travel. Lori takes us deeper into her journey of reinvention and self-discovery, sharing how stepping out of her comfort zone led to personal growth and an enriched sense of purpose.

Lori shares her deeply personal story of embarking on her first “MeMoon”—a life-changing solo trip to Paris at age 49, which transformed her self-confidence, sparked her career in writing, and profoundly reshaped her outlook on life.

Together, Lori and Stacey dive into why solo...

From Broadway to Bold Adventures

Episode Description: Join host Stacey Ray on Life. Reimagined. as she kicks off the podcast with special guest Stephanie Kurtzuba, an accomplished actor, writer, and producer. Stacey and Stephanie delve into their serendipitous meeting on a transatlantic cruise and Stephanie’s remarkable career, from Broadway to Hollywood, including roles in The Irishman, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Blue Bloods. This episode explores the challenges and triumphs of staying true to oneself while navigating the unpredictable twists and turns of life and career, offering listeners inspiring insights into embracing life’s detours and redefining their own...