Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

<p>Author and artist Jill G. Hall, 71, joins us with her luminous new novel On a Sundown Sea, inspired by the mysteries surrounding the visionary woman who built Lomaland—a utopian community near the home Jill grew up in. Fascinated since childhood by the stories whispered throughout her neighborhood, for more than a century, Hall spent five years researching the extraordinary life of Katherine Tingley, tracing her journey from Massachusetts roots to her profound spiritual and artistic influence on the West Coast.</p><p> </p><p>When Jill began writing after a twenty-year career as an educator, she never imagined she would become a novelist. Joining a prompt-writing group, she initially thought she might write children’s books or a memoir about teaching. Instead, unexpected characters began appearing on the page. Jill kept writing, and ten years later, when she was sixty, her debut novel, The Black Velvet Coat, was published. Two more novels completed the Anne McFarland Series with The Silver Shoes and The Green Lace Corset.</p><p>Jill has always been creative. Along the way, she’d been shaped by a series of mentors: her grandmother, a beloved fifth-grade teacher who nurtured her love of the humanities, and later, poets who helped refine her voice. Beyond writing, she’s also a visual artist whose mixed-media collages and mosaics blend found objects—especially silver trays transformed into wall-hung artworks—with words, tiles, and small artifacts. She studies modern dance, practices yoga, and takes long walks, all of which continue to enrich her life and work.</p><p></p><p>Now working on a collection of her nature-inspired poetry, Jill embraces aging with joy and curiosity. </p><p></p><p>“I feel like I am aging backwards!” - Jill G. Hall</p><p></p><p>Anne McFarland Series: The Black Velvet Coat, The Silver Shoes &amp; The Green Lace Corset</p><p>Biographical Historical Novel: On A Sundown Sea</p><p> </p><p>Website: www.jillghall.com</p><p>https://substack.com/@jillghall</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/JillGHallAuthor/#</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/jillg.hall/</p><p> </p><p>Shining the Light on Age-Wise Collective—Women Over 70 is proud to be part of the Age-Wise Collective, a group of women podcasters championing pro-aging voices. We highlight Beverley Glazer, a transition coach and strategic thinking partner whose podcast-AgingwithPurposeandPassion.com –showcases the raw, empowering stories of high-achieving women who have navigated the most extreme life transitions with unshakeable resilience.</p>

<p>For more than six decades, Sandra Sokol has devoted her life to building stronger, more equitable communities. Although she once imagined a career teaching in schools serving children of color her path evolved into groundbreaking volunteer and public service work focused on education, housing, and economic development. Many of the initiatives she helped launch grew into lasting organizations that continue to serve their communities today. Her leadership eventually carried her into local government, where she became a powerful advocate for collaboration, justice, and community-building. Now, in what she calls her “return to volunteering,” Sandra remains deeply engaged in advancing equity and opportunity for all. At 84, she reflects on a lifetime of service shaped by one enduring belief: meaningful change happens when people work together for the common good.</p><p></p><p>“I learned to think holistically about people and community—about education, housing, economic development—issues that concern all of us.” - Sandra Sokol</p><p></p><p>Connect with Sandra:</p><p>Email: [email protected]</p><p></p><p>Shining the Light on Age-Wise Collective, a group of women podcasters championing pro-aging voices. This week we highlight Beverley Glazer, a transition coach and strategic thinking partner whose podcast—Aging with Purpose and Passion—showcases the raw, empowering stories of high-achieving women who have navigated the most extreme life transitions with unshakeable resilience. https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com</p>

<p>Joan Greene, 84, trained to be a teacher but found her true calling as a social worker and innovative advocate for older adults. In New York State, she helped create programs from the ground up—from nutrition services and Meals on Wheels to case management and family support. When her accomplished daughter was diagnosed with severe mental illness, Joan’s work took on new urgency and personal meaning. In this conversation, she reflects on key turning points in aging, gerontology, and mental health care, while urging our culture to recognize mental health as an essential part of overall health. Joan calls for greater advocacy, research, and access to providers for older adults and families alike. Stay to the end to hear how knitting has become an unexpected source of connection, creativity, and advocacy.</p><p></p><p>Connect with Joan</p><p>Email: [email protected]</p><p></p><p>Thanking our Sponsor, Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, IL. As innovators in inspired living, Plymouth Place caters to vibrant and changing lifestyles…with resort-like amenities, fabulous cuisine, and beautiful residences including The Arboretum Villas – their new community for adults 62 plus. </p><p>Learn how they make each day exemplary at PlymouthPlace.org or call (708) 859-7152.</p><p></p><p>Shining the Light on Age-Wise Collective, a group of women podcasters championing pro-aging voices. This week we highlight Beverley Glazer, a transition coach and strategic thinking partner whose podcast—Aging with Purpose and Passion—showcases the raw, empowering stories of high-achieving women who have navigated the most extreme life transitions with unshakeable resilience. </p><p>https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com</p>

<p>This episode, first released in 2021, is a reminder that Mental Health Awareness Month requires all of us to tell our stories. We checked back in with Mindy and learned that, even though she is now retired, she continues to advocate for reforms in mental health, policy, and affordable housing. “I love being retired; I can activate for anything I want.” She is married for 55 years and retired for sixteen. Her son continues to receive the help he needs.</p><p></p><p>"There is no way we are going to have a better mental health system if we don’t tell our stories."</p><p></p><p>Mindy was a state legislator (Minnesota’s House of Representatives, 1993-2013) when her son Jim's first psychotic episode manifested itself in a delusion demanding he kill her. Her seat at the table helped her to change the policies that would have barred her from saving his life. She first had to overcome her fear that Jim would be like her beloved grandmother who disappeared into a mental hospital when she was 10. Mindy was determined not to let this happen and is responsible for these reforms:</p><p>·       Founded the nation’s first bipartisan state mental health caucus, focusing on raising awareness, funding, and policy reform <a href="https://www.marshallindependent.com/news/local-news/2025/05/former-legislator-details-schizophrenia-challenges/" style="background-color:rgb(248,244,241);color:rgb(17,85,204);">Marshall Independent+1</a>.</p><p>·       Reformed hospital release procedures and introduced legislation allowing earlier intervention for people in crisis who don’t recognize they are ill <a href="https://accesspress.org/fix-what-you-can-is-one-familys-compelling-story/" style="background-color:rgb(248,244,241);color:rgb(17,85,204);">Access Press</a>.</p><p>·       Advocated for mental health issues in areas such as the criminal justice system, employment, and children’s health</p><p> </p><p>Her podcast<a href="https://www.mindygreiling.com/podcast" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(17,85,204);">, Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches</a>, is a frank account by three mothers who share what it is like to live in a family where schizoid-affective disorder affects every family dynamic.</p><p>Contact Information:</p><p>[email protected]</p><p>Greiling, M. (2020).<a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Fix+What+You+Can%3A+Schizophrenia+and+a+Lawmaker%E2%80%99s+Fight+for+Her+Son&amp;crid=7RDPLTMCF87N&amp;sprefix=fix+what+you+can+schizophrenia+and+a+lawmaker+s+fight+for+her+son%2Caps%2C145&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Fix+What+You+Can%3A+Schizophrenia+and+a+Lawmaker%E2%80%99s+Fight+for+Her+Son&amp;crid=7RDPLTMCF87N&amp;sprefix=fix+what+you+can+schizophrenia+and+a+lawmaker+s+fight+for+her+son%2Caps%2C145&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(17,85,204);">Fix What You Can: Schizophrenia and a Lawmaker’s Fight for Her Son</a>. University of Minnesota Press.</p><p>Podcast:<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Schizophrenia-Three-Moms-in-the-Trenches-Podcast/B08JJPR868" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> </a><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Schizophrenia-Three-Moms-in-the-Trenches-Podcast/B08JJPR868" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(17,85,204);">Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches</a></p>

<p>In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re revisiting a powerful earlier conversation with Ilene Dillon (Episode #148). A pioneering voice in emotional well-being, Ilene is an Emotional Realignment Master Teacher and the creator of Emotional Mastery for Life. Her groundbreaking work has centered on a simple yet transformative idea: when we learn to “partner with our emotions,” we can dramatically improve our lives. Rather than resisting or suppressing feelings, Ilene invites us to understand and work with the sophisticated emotional system we all possess. Ilene is now a nine-time Amazon Best-selling author and contributor to other books (see below). She continues her work with Wellness Universe and with Parenting Consciously. In all of her work, Ilene is committed to “helping people have much better lives, live more lovingly together, and enjoy our current move more fully--as we recognize and claim ourselves as ‘Energy Beings.”</p><p></p><p>Connect with Ilene</p><p>Email: [email protected]</p><p>Website: <a href="http://www.emotionalmasteryforlife.com" style="color:rgb(0,0,255);background-color:transparent;">www.EmotionalMasteryForLife.com</a></p><p>Books: Emotions in Motion: Mastering Life’s Built-in Navigation System (2019)</p><p> The Wellness Universe Guide to Complete Self-Care (5 of 6 volumes).</p><ul><li>/"Women Connected with Women, Volume Two," "Gifts of Wisdom" (lead author David McLeod), "Joy Unleashed" (lead author Shari Alysek) and another book on Manipulation (lead author Sara Jane).</li></ul><p></p><p>Thanking Our Sponsor--Women’ Connection, a vibrant, member-led nonprofit</p><p>organization for women who are at least 50 years old. Women connect with each other in chapters around the country to enjoy shared interests, continue to learn, volunteer in their communities, and provide each other with support and inspiration. <a href="https://womenconnecting.org" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);background-color:transparent;">https://womenconnecting.org</a></p><p></p><p>Shining the Light on Age-Wise Collective-- Women Over 70 is proud to be part of the Age-Wise Collective, a group of women podcasters championing pro-aging voices. This week we highlight Beverley Glazer, a Transition Coach and Strategic Thinking Partner whose podcast—Aging with Purpose and Passion-- showcases the raw, empowering stories of high-achieving women who have navigated the most extreme life transitions with unshakeable resilience. <a href="https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com" style="color:rgb(0,0,255);background-color:transparent;">https://www.agingwithpurposeandpassion.com</a></p><p></p><p></p>