Don't Be Caged By Your Age | Pro Aging Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Don't Be Caged By Your Age | Pro Aging Podcast

Ande Lyons

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 109

Looking for inspiration and practical advice on aging well? Don't Be Caged By Your Age is a positive aging podcast featuring conversations with older adults who are thriving after 65. Explore healthy aging, longevity, retirement, purpose, wellness, technology, entrepreneurship, relationships, and the many ways people create meaningful lives as they grow older.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/don-t-be-caged-by-your-age
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
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Score global : 52%

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EP 108 Let Women Age with Heidi Clements

Episode 108

Thursday, September 10, 2026 • Duration 44:36

What happens when a woman stops trying to become who the world told her she should be... and starts becoming herself?

Heidi Clements is doing exactly that.

At 65, Heidi is a writer, storyteller, pro-aging advocate, fashion lover, and the wildly entertaining creator behind @welcometoheidi. Her message is bold, funny, vulnerable, and deeply liberating:

Let women age.

In this conversation, Heidi and I talk about radical self-love, body image, sobriety, fashion, beauty standards, the male gaze, shame, anger, aging, and what happens when you finally realize that you get to write your own rules.

We also talk about why so many younger women are watching Heidi, and why her message resonates across generations.

Heidi shares what she’s learned from the messy chapters of her life, why she refuses to carry shame that doesn’t belong to her, and the beautiful realization she had at 60:

“I do matter. I need to matter more to me.”

And toward the end, Heidi shares what she’s still learning at 65: to be kinder to herself, stop racing toward the next happy, and stop borrowing trouble from the future.

“It’s a daily practice to radically love yourself, which is the only thing that will save you in this life.”

💖 Connect with Heidi

Follow Heidi everywhere: @welcometoheidi

Find her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, plus her podcast Talk 50 to Me, writing, interviews, and Let Women Age merchandise through the link in her bio.

Here are the two thrifter sites she mentions: Vinted and Whatnot.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

Looking for a few simple ways to age well? Here are two products I use and genuinely recommend:

🚶‍♀️ Favorite Walking Pad – I use it almost every day while watching my favorite shows. It's quiet, easy to store, and makes getting more steps simple and enjoyable.

🥤 Favorite Protein Powder – Getting enough protein becomes even more important as we age. This is my go-to because it's easy to digest, delivers 25g of protein per serving, and supports healthy muscles and bones.

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact throug...

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EP 107 Your Life Experience Is Your Superpower

Episode 107

Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 49:49

What if everything you've lived through isn't something to put behind you, but something to put to work?

In this delicious conversation, I chat with Julienne B. Ryan, a Communication Catalyst, speaker, author, coach, and lifelong storyteller who has built a career around helping people connect through listening, humor, curiosity, and authentic communication.

Julienne's own story is fascinating. From being a shy little girl in Queens who somehow landed a Trident gum commercial, to recruiting and HR, to discovering that her real superpower was helping people see, hear, and appreciate one another, her journey is a wonderful reminder that our gifts don't always reveal themselves in the ways we expect.

And then we get into the good stuff.

We talk about why your stories matter, how storytelling creates bridges between generations, and why "facts and emotions equal memory." Julienne shares how she learned to stop trying to communicate like everyone else and finally own the qualities people valued most in her: showing up, making people laugh, listening, and telling stories.

We also dig into something especially important for ProAgers: the stories we tell ourselves about getting older.

Julienne has a wonderful challenge for us: Who's writing the script?

Because those old messages - "not me," "not now," "I missed the boat," "why bother?" - can become limitations we don't even realize we've accepted.

We talk about finding your voice without raising it, navigating digital distraction, why picking up the phone can save a relationship, how introverts have a tremendous communication superpower, and why being truly listened to may be one of the greatest luxuries we can give another human being.

And Julienne has a simple message for anyone who thinks they aren't a storyteller:

Your stories are hiding in plain sight.

Your experiences, your mistakes, your triumphs, the things that lit you up, the problems you've solved, the lessons you've learned... they're all part of the wisdom you carry forward.

You don't have to shrink with age. You don't have to become someone you're not. You can own your story, use your voice, build bridges, and keep contributing.Because your life experience isn't baggage. Connect with Julienne:Visit to learn more about Julienne's work, workshops, storytelling, and communication resources.And if this conversation made you think of someone whose experience, stories, or wisdom deserves to be heard, please share this episode with them.

EP 106 Making Friends with Emotions to Thrive After 65 with Dr. Betsy Burris

Episode 106

Thursday, August 27, 2026 • Duration 50:50

What if the emotions we've been taught to push aside are actually trying to teach us something?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Betsy Burris - educator, psychotherapist, author, and podcaster - to talk about the winding path that led her from studying classical Chinese literature, to directing the Stanford Teacher Education Program, to becoming a therapist for teachers.

Betsy opens up about the painful administrative experiences that pushed her toward burnout and ultimately toward her true calling. We talk about why relationships (with people and with curriculum) are the real foundation of teaching and learning, and how unlearning old survival patterns opened up her most creative and impactful decade yet.

This is a conversation about listening to our students, to our emotions, and to ourselves as we age.

Betsy also shares a special episode from her podcast Teaching Through Emotions. It's centered on the Vahombey Project, a school library project in the rural village of Bekitro, Madagascar. Alongside the episode, TTE is launching a fundraising campaign to support the library and its students.

Please tap here to listen to the episode and tap here to learn more about the Vahombey Project.

Connect with Betsy Burris: Email: betsy@teachingthroughemotions.com. You can also find Betsy on Substack and check out her book here: Teaching Through Emotions Book: The Feeling of Teaching

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or . Or leave a message on the website .Looking for a few simple ways to age well? Here are two products I use and genuinely recommend:🚶‍♀️ – I use it almost every day while watching my favorite shows. It's quiet, easy to store, and makes getting more steps simple and enjoyable.🥤 – Getting enough protein becomes even more important as we age. This is my go-to because it's easy to digest, delivers 25g of protein per serving, and supports healthy muscles and bones.Waving from Boston – cheers!Ande ♥CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/ https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

EP 105 Embrace Aging and Set Yourself Free

Episode 105

Thursday, August 13, 2026 • Duration 44:30

Imagine waking up tomorrow without a single limiting belief about aging. That's exactly the question my guest has dedicated her life to exploring.

Kat Miller is a psychotherapist, TEDx speaker, and founder of Age Freely, and she joined me from Ajijic, Mexico to talk about rewriting the cultural narrative around growing older.

Kat just turned 70 this past February and told me she'd been waiting for it for three years, excited to finally claim the word "old" without hesitation.

We talked about the moment her work became personal: hearing bright, capable friends describe wrinkles as inherently ugly, and realizing something didn't sit right.

She credits her mom, who started a restaurant in her sixties followed by a junk shop and then interior decorating, as an early role model for aging out loud.

Kat also shared the story behind her TEDx talk, a project photographing hibiscus flowers from birth to death that led her to fall in love with impermanence and see it as the design of life rather than something to resist.

We dug into why ageism is unlike other isms, since with ageism we are the group being discriminated against, which makes it nearly invisible to us.

Kat explained her theory that decline and expansion happen together as we age, using examples like physical energy forcing us to focus on what really matters, and cognitive speed slowing down so we can actually see the whole landscape and connect the dots better.

We also talked about her Older Conversational Card Game, created with fellow psychotherapist Joannina, and how it's helped grandparents and grandchildren have conversations about life they never would have had otherwise.

Kat didn't shy away from the harder topics either, sharing how making peace with death and dying is often the real starting point for aging freely, and why the anti-aging industry profits from keeping us afraid.

Kat reminded me that aging isn't the problem, it's the stories we've been told about aging. We have the power to question those stories, rewrite them, and choose a path filled with purpose, curiosity, and joy.

Every day is another opportunity to become more fully ourselves, not less. If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who could use a little encouragement today, because together we're changing the conversation about aging one story at a time.Connect with Kat Miller at , where you can find her TEDx talk, her counseling work, and her Older Conversational Card Game.

EP 104 Is Your Tribe Helping You Thrive After 65?

Episode 104

Thursday, July 23, 2026 • Duration 44:05

The people around us can either expand our sense of possibility or quietly shrink our world.

Have you ever stopped to consider how much the people around you influence the way you age?

In this episode I chat with Walt Hampton - attorney, executive coach, author, interfaith minister, lifelong adventurer, and mountaineer - to explore why the company we keep may be one of the biggest factors in how fully we live after 65. While healthy habits and a positive mindset certainly matter, Walt believes our "tribe" can either expand our sense of possibility or quietly shrink our world.

Walt shares his remarkable journey from attorney to executive coach, from aspiring priest to interfaith minister, and from climbing four of the Seven Summits to embracing new adventures like gravel biking and backcountry skiing at age 69. Along the way, he reminds us that curiosity, courage, and a willingness to begin again are timeless qualities, not age-dependent ones.

Together, we talk about how to recognize whether your social circle is helping you grow or holding you back, why it's okay to outgrow limiting beliefs (even those of lifelong friends), and how staying open to new experiences keeps life vibrant and meaningful. Walt also shares one powerful coaching question that has the potential to change your life: What would you do if you weren't afraid?

Whether you're looking for your next adventure, considering a career or life pivot, or simply wondering how to create a richer, more connected life, this conversation will leave you inspired to choose possibility over limitation.

Visit Walt's website here to learn more about his remarkable work in the world.

If this episode inspired you, please share it with someone whose world you want to help expand. Together, let's continue aging out loud and proud and never be caged by our age.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or . Or leave a message on the website .Looking for a few simple ways to age well? Here are two products I use and genuinely recommend:🚶‍♀️ – I use it almost every day while watching my favorite shows. It's quiet, easy to store, and makes getting more steps simple and enjoyable.🥤 – Getting enough protein becomes even more important as we age. This is my go-to because it's easy to digest, delivers 25g of protein per serving, and supports healthy muscles and bones.Waving from Boston – cheers!Ande ♥CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/ https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

EP 103 Opening New Doors After 70

Episode 103

Thursday, July 16, 2026 • Duration 39:54

What if the next chapter of your life is waiting behind a door you haven't opened yet?

My guest, Mary Foerster, is living proof that life doesn't stop unfolding after 70 - it expands. At 75, Mary has reinvented herself time and again, building a life filled with purpose, connection, and contribution.

From librarian to legislative advocate at AARP, from government affairs executive to house flipper and Realtor, from Rotary leader to podcast host, Mary's journey reminds us that we don't have to have life all figured out. Sometimes the most meaningful opportunities arrive simply because we're willing to say "yes."

In our conversation, Mary shares how ballroom dancing led her to the love of her life, why community became her lifeline after retirement, what inspired her to launch Real Estate Connections at 75, and why relationships continue to open doors she never imagined.

If you've ever wondered whether your best years are behind you, this episode offers a hopeful - and practical - answer.

Mary's biggest lesson?

Keep every door open.

You never know which one will lead to your next adventure.

🎙️ Connect with Mary Foerster

Podcast: Real Estate Connections: Where Relationships Open Doors

Email: info@realestateconnectionspodcast.com

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

Looking for a few simple ways to age well? Here are two products I use and genuinely recommend:

🚶‍♀️ Favorite Walking Pad – I use it almost every day while watching my favorite shows. It's quiet, easy to store, and makes getting more steps simple and enjoyable.🥤 – Getting enough protein becomes even more important as we age. This is my go-to because it's easy to digest, delivers 25g of protein per serving, and supports healthy muscles and bones.Waving from Boston – cheers!Ande ♥CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/ https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage

EP 102 How Do You Become an Inspired Elder?

Episode 102

Thursday, July 9, 2026 • Duration 48:01

Why does contribution matter so much as we grow older?

It's a question I hadn't thought about in quite this way until my delicious conversation with David McNally.

Like many of us, I used to think being on purpose was the goal. But David offered a beautiful reframe: our purpose doesn't change, our contribution does.

Whether we're mentoring a younger generation, starting a podcast at 67, going back to college at 72, or simply showing up each day with curiosity and compassion, we're all helping move humanity forward.

That's what it means to become an Inspired Elder.

David McNally is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and leadership expert whose latest book, If You're Alive, Your Mission on Earth Isn't Finished, reminds us that our later years can be some of our most meaningful. Approaching his 80th birthday, David shares the lived experiences that shaped his life, the personal losses that deepened his wisdom, and why he believes our greatest contribution may still lie ahead.

This conversation is filled with memorable stories, heartfelt wisdom, and several "pause and think" moments that I know you'll carry with you long after the episode ends.

One of my favorite moments came when David said:

"I'm no longer ambitious...I'm passionate."

That simple statement perfectly captures what so many of us discover in our later years. We stop striving to prove ourselves and begin living to serve, mentor, create, and contribute.

Another unforgettable reminder:

"The creative spirit within us only expires when we expire."

If you've ever wondered what's next...or whether your best years might still be ahead of you...this episode is for you.

Connect with David McNally:
• Website
• Book: If You're Alive, Your Mission on Earth Isn't Finished
• YouTube: If this conversation inspired you, please share it with a friend who could use a reminder that their story... and their contribution... is far from over.

EP 101 When Creativity Refuses to Retire

Episode 101

Thursday, July 2, 2026 • Duration 51:43

What if the most creative chapter of your life is still ahead of you?

In this episode, I'm joined by my dear friend Irene Buchine, whose life beautifully reminds us that creativity, purpose, and self-expression don't have an expiration date.

At 77 years old, Irene celebrated her very first gallery show, Beyond Words, a collection of artwork, photography, embroidery, writing, and personal reflections that span decades of her life. I had the privilege of attending the exhibit, and it inspired this special conversation.

What makes Irene's story so extraordinary is that she didn't learn to read until she was 34 because of dyslexia. Yet she went on to build a successful business, become an author, and continue creating with curiosity, courage, and joy.

Together, we explore what it means to stop minimizing our accomplishments, embrace our creativity, and finally allow ourselves to be seen.

We also talk about Irene's beautiful book, Celia and the Little Boy, a compassionate story that helps parents, caregivers, and educators better understand childhood depression and emotional struggles through the eyes of a child.

🎧 Listen to Irene narrate Celia and the Little Boy on YouTube here.

📚 Tap here to learn more about Irene and her work.

One of the things that stayed with me after this conversation was how often we tuck away our gifts, our accomplishments, and even our creativity because we don't think they're worthy of celebrating.

Watching Irene gather decades of her life into one gallery exhibit wasn't about looking backward. It was about honoring the journey and giving herself permission to be fully seen.

I hope this episode encourages you to look at your own life with that same generosity. Maybe there's a dream you've put on hold. Maybe there's a talent you've hidden away. Or maybe it's simply time to celebrate the person you've become.
Because creativity doesn't retire.And neither do we.

EP 100 Life's Too Short for Someday

Episode 100

Thursday, June 25, 2026 • Duration 33:30

What are you waiting for?

How many times have you told yourself you'll get around to it someday?

Someday you'll pick up the guitar again.
Someday you'll take that trip.
Someday you'll start the business, write the book, learn the skill, or pursue the passion that's been quietly waiting in the wings.

But what if life's too short for someday?

My guest is musician Ray Toole, the creative force behind The Yellow Room, a musical community that brings together talented musicians from multiple generations to perform live, connect through music, and celebrate the joy of making music together.

Ray's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to reconnect with what you love. After spending more than 30 years working as a train conductor, Ray picked up his guitar again during COVID and began playing more seriously than ever before. And here's the remarkable part: he believes he's a better musician today at 65 than he was at 25.

In our conversation, Ray takes me back to his early days growing up during the golden era of rock and shares how music became a lifelong passion.

We talk about balancing creativity with careers and responsibilities, the joy of mentoring younger musicians, and the unexpected opportunities that can emerge later in life when you continue to follow what lights you up.

One phrase came up again and again during our conversation: "Life's too short." In fact, Ray once hosted annual "Life's Too Short" parties! His philosophy is simple but powerful: don't wait for someday.

Whether you've always loved music, have a passion you've put on the back burner, or simply need a reminder that it's never too late to create, connect, and contribute, I think you'll find inspiration in Ray's story.

This Episode
🎸 How Ray fell in love with music and the electric guitar
🎸 Growing up in the incredible music culture of the 1970s
🎸 Keeping a lifelong passion alive while navigating careers and responsibilities
🎸 Why picking up the guitar again during COVID changed everything
🎸 The story behind The Yellow Room🎸 The joy of bringing musicians from different generations together🎸 Why Ray believes he's a better musician at 65 than he was at 25🎸 What aging has taught Ray about creativity, performance, and purpose🎸 Why mentorship matters at every age🎸 Ray's advice for anyone thinking about returning to music—or pursuing a long-forgotten dreamIf there's something you've been wanting to do, create, learn, or experience, maybe this is your sign to stop waiting.Connect with Ray Toole and watch his fab music videos on these platforms:, , , Songs mentioned during our delicious conversation:

EP 99 What the Open Road Taught Me About Life After 60

Episode 99

Thursday, June 11, 2026 • Duration 41:00

What can riding a motorcycle thousands of miles across North and South America teach us about thriving after 60?

Quite a lot, according to Michael Yang.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Michael immigrated to California as a teenager and embraced the opportunities of the American Dream. He went on to earn degrees from UC Berkeley and Columbia University, build a successful Silicon Valley startup, and eventually sell his company during the dot-com era.

But Michael's most surprising chapter began in his sixties.

Rather than slowing down, he climbed onto a motorcycle and embarked on epic journeys across North and South America—from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on the Arctic Ocean to Newfoundland, Canada, and through the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia.

In this fascinating conversation, Michael shares what those miles taught him about resilience, perseverance, humility, gratitude, curiosity, and living with purpose at every age.

Tap here to purchase Michael's book Coming Alive on the Ride: A Memoir of Motorcycle Travel, Self-Discovery, and Korean Heritage.

Michael's Message: "Purpose and passion do not have expiration dates."

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to pursue a dream, start a new chapter, or embark on an adventure, Michael's story is a powerful reminder that some of life's most meaningful journeys begin later than expected.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

Looking for a few simple ways to age well? Here are two products I use and genuinely recommend:

🚶‍♀️ – I use it almost every day while watching my favorite shows. It's quiet, easy to store, and makes getting more steps simple and enjoyable.🥤 – Getting enough protein becomes even more important as we age. This is my go-to because it's easy to digest, delivers 25g of protein per serving, and supports healthy muscles and bones.Waving from Boston – cheers!Ande ♥CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/ https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage