
From Small-Town Bar to Children’s Author at 65
From Penny for your Shots by Penny Fitzgerald
February 26, 2026 · 1h 1m · Episode 125
About this episode
Susan Lienau shares her journey from running a small-town bar to becoming a children's author at the age of 65.
What if the dream you’ve been carrying for decades is still waiting for you? Susan Lienau is 65 years young. She’s spent over 40 years running a small-town bar in northeast Iowa. She’s helped launch a community museum, serves on the city council, co-owns an Airbnb—and somewhere between raising four boys and welcoming six grandchildren, she finally decided to write the children’s book she’d imagined her entire life. Not because it was convenient. Not because she suddenly had “extra time.” But ...
People in this episode
Host: Penny Fitzgerald
Guest: Susan Lienau
Topics covered
- pursuing dreams
- children's literature
- entrepreneurship
- life changes
- community involvement
Keywords
- children's book
- small-town bar
- entrepreneur
- community museum
- Iowa
Mentioned in this episode
Places: northeast Iowa, Iowa
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