There are friends we have for a season in our lives, that we might not see again, but they have a profound impact on us and make us smile when we think of them. There are lifelong friends, people who knew you “when.” They know your history, your stories, and they love every version of you without judgment. Even if you don’t see them often, your bond remains strong forever. And then there are adult friends, friends that might not have been there from the start, but once you meet them, you can’t imagine your life without them. They walk with you through decades sharing experiences, confidences, and the daily ups and downs of life.

My original idea for this episode was to simply to explore the friendships between women and gay men. Why are these friendships so common, especially in midlife, and why are they so important to us as women, and to the men we share these friendships with?

But what I discovered in my conversation with longtime friends John Mitterling and Karen Livingston is something far deeper than a surface exploration of this topic. In our very raw interview, John vulnerably shares his painful journey to coming out to the world as a gay man and how Karen was by his side with compassion every step of the way, without judgment, to lift him up. Join me for this profound exploration of friendship and how it can enrich, and sometimes, even save our lives.

LINKS FOR SHOW NOTES:

www.harmonync.org

www.voicestogether.org

Downsizing used to be something people did well after retirement when they “got old.” But the trend is changing. More people are choosing to leave the nest as soon as it becomes empty to start a new chapter, a simpler chapter free of home maintenance and one that comes with more time and flexibility. Some people want to travel, others want to be closer to their adult children. Whatever the reason, there are practical and logistical steps that are a necessary part of this process. In this episode, we speak to a veteran real estate agent about what she’s seeing and best practices to efficiently downsize. We also talk to a recent downsizer about the hurdles and the perks of simplifying your living situation.

To Learn More:

Glenwood Agency Real Estate |Superior Home Buying| Raleigh, NC - A Superior Way to Shop.

Home | Ann-Cabell Baum Realtor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncabell/

Instagram

Pamela DeLoatch's mother lied about her age. Pamela didn't learn about the ten-year discrepancy until after her mother died. Why did she do it? Pamela suspects that like many women of her generation she felt that getting older was a sign of weakness, a sign that you were no longer relevant, especially as a woman. But at 61, Pamela has embraced a new philosophy. She's proud of what she has accomplished in her lifetime and still has so much to offer to her community. Pamela had a career in corporate America, and after pivoting in her fifties, she is now a successful freelance writer. She's married with four grown children. Life wasn't always easy balancing work and family as they crisscrossed the country several times moving from North Carolina to Chicago and back again twice. But with age comes the wisdom to know that if you have survived something once, you can do it again, and again, and again. In this episode, Pamela and I break down the myths and stereotypes about aging and even dig into Brooke Shields' insightful new book: Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old.

To learn more about Pamela:

https://www.instagram.com/pamela_deloatch/

(4) Facebook

(45) Pamela (Cothran) DeLoatch | LinkedIn