Late Bloomer Living Podcast

What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want isn't your age — it's the story you're telling yourself about your age? Sally Duplantier started her first business at 28, retired twice, went back to school in her mid-60s, earned a master's degree in gerontology, published seven peer-reviewed research papers, and is currently finishing her doctorate at 75. And she'll be the first to tell you she's not special — which is exactly the point. In this conversation, Sally breaks down the science of internalized ageism and why so many of us quietly absorb the world's low expectations for older adults without even realizing it. She draws on Dr. Becca Levy's landmark Yale research showing that a positive attitude about aging can add 7.5 years to your life — and explains why simply deciding to think differently isn't enough. The real shift, she says, has to come from action. Small, specific, sometimes terrifying action. We also get into the trap of "comparanoia" — comparing yourself not just to other people but to the younger version of yourself — the Japanese concept of ikigai as a gentler alternative to the pressure of finding your purpose, and the one scary email Sally sent at 66 that opened doors she never could have predicted. Sally is the founder of Zing and hosts free monthly Wellness Wednesdays — expert-led webinars on healthy aging open to anyone. Find her at MyZingLife.com and on Instagram and Facebook at @MyZingLifeSally. If this episode got you thinking, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

After losing his wife, Allen Klein discovered that laughter could live alongside grief. In this episode, we explore the healing power of humor — and what it really means to choose joy anyway.

A Valentine’s week reminder that love isn’t only romantic. Gail Zelitsky and Catherine Marienau share how friendship after 70 led to purpose and impact.

Always giving? Discover why people pleasing is a coping strategy—and how to reclaim yourself in midlife with Wendy Perrotti.

Most of us don’t think of ourselves as playful — especially at work. Play can feel awkward, indulgent, or like something we were supposed to outgrow. But what if that discomfort is actually pointing us toward something essential? In this episode of Late Bloomer Living, Yvonne Marchese sits down with playful change maker Brandi Heather to explore why play feels so uncomfortable for adults — and why that resistance might be exactly the clue we’re missing. For many of us, the word work no longer fits the shape of our lives — or it fits very differently than it once did. Careers change. Some end. Some slow down. But the work of living doesn’t stop. And neither does our need for creativity, connection, and a sense of aliveness. Brandi spent over 20 years as a kinesiology and health sciences professor before bringing her work into organizations, helping teams use play (often without calling it that) to reduce stress, improve communication, and unlock creativity. This isn’t about ping-pong tables in the break room or forced fun. It’s about nervous system regulation, self-awareness, resilience, and creating environments — at work and beyond — where people feel confident, connected, and capable of doing their best work. If you’ve ever thought, “Play sounds nice, but I have deadlines,” this conversation is for you. This episode matters because play isn’t a luxury — it’s a missing piece in how we work, cope, and stay human as adults.

You’re not “too old” to wear that. Jennifer Polt joins Late Bloomer Living in this Salty Sisters replay to talk style, self-expression, and taking up space in midlife.

Novelist Beth Barany becomes a first-time filmmaker at 50+. This episode is your reminder that it’s never too late to greenlight your dreams.

If gratitude feels forced or stale, try this gentle mindset shift to feel more present and grounded—no pressure, no perfection.