50, Now What?!

In today’s episode, we welcome Ingrid Green to educate us on Sickle Cell Anemia and spread the word about the work she does on the disease with the American Red Cross. Ingrid walks us through exactly what Sickle Cell Anemia is, how it affects those that have it, how it’s currently treated, and what work is currently being done to improve those treatments. We also discuss the current stigmas surrounding giving blood in the African American community, and why making the decision to give blood could be the difference in life or death for someone experiencing a Sickle Cell pain crisis. Find more resources on Sickle Cell Disease, and a place to donate blood via the American Red Cross here! 1:00 - Ingrid Welcome and her introduction to her work with the American Red Cross5:05 - What is Sickle Cell Anemia? 8:15 - Stigmas surrounding giving blood in the African American Community10:20 - Origins of Sickle Cell Trait and Disease 13:30 - How widespread is Sickle Cell Disease? How is their quality of life? 19:00 - Who can you receive blood from if you have Sickle Cell Disease? 22:30 - Sickle Cell Trait vs Disease 27:00 - A National Call for Blood Donations 29:30 - Ingrid’s words of wisdom

On this episode of 50, Now What!? We welcome Alicia's friend Jessica Bodiford back onto the podcast. As well as being a producer and playwright - she is also a fellow podcaster, and joins us today to discuss her new project, The Bible Rewind Podcast. Each episode of the Bible Rewind covers and challenges different topics found in the Bible, as discussed by experts and historians to serve as a starting point for further exploration. In this episode, Alicia and Jessica discuss both of their personal histories with religion and the bible before focusing on one of the subjects covered in The Bible Rewind Podcast: Sexual Assault and Rape in the scripture and church culture. Jessica takes us through examples of stories in the bible that enable problematic rhetoric the church upholds to this day, and how that has personally affected both of us as we navigated growing up in such an environment. As a courtesy to my listeners, while we find these conversations very important, there will be explicit conversations of sexual assault and rape in this episode. Be sure to follow The Bible Rewind Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

Today we’re honored to welcome the author of “Sonata for a Damaged Heart”, Kisha Stewart. In 2011, Kisha suffered a heart attack at an abnormally young age of 31, only two weeks after having a child. In this episode, we discuss some of her experiences that she outlines in this moving memoir, the concept of strong woman syndrome, what it means to live in the in between, and why pregnancy is the ultimate stress test for your heart and what you need to do to be ready for it. Kisha shares her experience so that she can be an advocate for someone else when it happens to them and they need someone to have their back. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and pick up “Sonata for a Damaged Heart” for yourself. 0:52 - Intro to Kisha & Sonata for a Damage Heart6:40 - The experience of the Heart Attack and Hospital Stay11:50 - Healing and Taking Care of Yourself, Superhero Syndrome15:00 - Pregnancy is the Heart’s Greatest Stress Test19:00 - Becoming an Advocate for others22:20 - “Living Between”30:00 - Seeking Mental Health help for Physical Ailments34:25 - Kisha’s words of wisdom

Just because we have crossed the 50-year milestone in our lives, does not mean that we have to be done coming up with and pursuing goals. That’s why we are so excited to welcome Jean-Marie Jobs onto the program to discuss what goal setting, and the subsequent pursuit of those goals, can look like as we continue into our 50s and beyond. In this illuminating conversation, we discuss the power of intention, how to find clarity of purpose and being, and strategies being present in the present while avoiding tripping on a theoretical future. We also discuss why it’s okay to still be learning and growing at our age and the beauty of slowing down and embracing the journey. Jean-Marie also relates her expertise to her recent battle with breast cancer, where she explains why facing your own mortality can be a greater gift than you may ever realize. There is so much valuable expertise and advice here, and we can’t wait for you to soak it in. To learn more about Jean-Marie, find her on LinkedIn, Youtube and Instagram. 1:15 Jean-Marie Introduction2:40 Goal Setting vs Intention 5:50 Jean-Marie’s Surprise Breast Cancer Diagnosis and that Perspective Shift8:28 Being Present in the Present15:20 Embracing overwhelm and not getting discouraged19:45 The Aging process and its effects on goal setting21:40 Jean-Marie’s words of wisdom

On this episode of 50, Now What!? Alicia sits down with Kyomi O’Connor, Author of “A Sky of Infinite Blue: A Japanese Immigrant’s Search for Home and Self.”In today’s episode, Kyomi graciously shares the emotional challenges from her childhood and family in Japan, and her subsequent journey to the United States to find a way to start over for herself. While working as a researcher living out of a tiny apartment in Bethesda, Maryland, she met her future husband Patrick - a British cancer researcher who was instrumental in holding space for her to begin to heal her generational trauma and what it means to feel loved. Their journey together led to San Diego, California where the two adopted the practice of Buddhism and a commitment to helping others. Unfortunately Patrick had his own journey with brain cancer, and passed away after a three year battle in 2016. Kyomi was able to break through her grief through writing, which led to the incredible “A Sky of Infinite Blue”, which began to bring meaning back into her life. Kyomi’s story is authentic, raw, and shared in hopes to show that there is always a way to make it to the other side of grief and hard times if you keep digging.Be sure to pick up A Sky of Infinite Blue wherever books are sold! 1:27 Kyomi Introduction & Growing up in Japan4:40 The Physical Effects of Emotional Abuse7:00 Building up Armor at a young age13:00 Kyomi's failed attempt at taking her own life23:00 Life after her attempt, and Kyomi's first Marriage26:00 Divorce and Moving On from Japan to the USA33:00 Moving to Maryland and Meeting Patrick37:00 Beginning the Healing Process44:00 Dealing with the passing of her Father50:20 Patrick's Cancer Diagnosis and Passing54:00 Being at Patrick's side as he passed1:00:00 Making it to the Light1:01:30 Final words of wisdom

Going through a journey with grief after losing a loved one is a life-altering experience, but not one that has to be walked alone. Today’s guest, Dr. Karen Wyatt, host of “The End of Life Podcast” joins us today to help us shed some light into an area of life that can be difficult to exploreIn this episode, we discuss all of the methods that helped Dr. Wyatt process her own grief, and how they can be applied to our own lives. We also expand upon what it means to become a caretaker for those who have always been there for us, our parents. Experience in this area may be painful, but it is something we cannot avoid forever - and we’re here to help it hurt just a little bit less. 1:00 - Dr. Wyatt Introduction3:00 - Becoming primary caretakers to your parents or elder loved ones5:30 - Making the decision to utilize an assisted care living facility 7:20 - Is caretaking a part of the grieving process? 10:10 - Tools and support that are available for Caregivers 15:00 - The 5 Stages of Grief, and Obtaining Grief Counseling 18:27 - The different ways in which people deal with Grief, and how it’s changed23:00 - Can you put a timeframe on Grief? 28:05 - Final words of wisdom from Dr. Wyatt

Today we welcome Danielle Desir Corbett, host of “The Thought Card” Podcast and author of multiple books on how to manage money while planning the vacations of your dreams to the 50, Now What!? Podcast. And we’re here today to discuss just that - just because we’re in our 50’s does not mean we need to stop catching those flights! In today's conversation, we talk about just exactly what it means to be a financially savvy traveler, how to define your travel style, how to properly prepare for your travels while staying flexible for the journey, and countless other tips you need for your next trip. Be sure to follow the One Love Travel Club in Instagram @onelovetravel.club0:50 - Danielle Introduction3:48 - What is important to you regarding Travel? 8:56 - Finding your “Travel Style” and Budgeting for Travel13:58 - Preparing for your Trip & Other Tips from Danielle23:00 - Final Words of Wisdom from Danielle25:35 - Alicia’s 2023 Travel Wrap-Up

Today we are so pleased to welcome back the first repeat guest to 50, Now What!? Terri Jones. The first conversation about financial planning for retirement was so impactful, that we just had to come back and continue! Today, Alicia and Terri dive into another important part of life that you should not wait to address - estate planning. This is a large, slow process that can be very intimidating, luckily we have Terri to break it down. They talk about some of the best places to start when estate planning, the most common details that are overlooked in this process, how to properly establish your wishes when you are incapacitated, and many other incredibly important topics when planning out the path for what happens when we’re gone. This is not a conversation to be afraid of, rather to be embraced with the support of Terri, Alicia, and the other people in your life that can walk with you through this process. Contact Terri for financial assistance at: Ibleav@icloud.com1:09 Terri Introduction 3:42 Estate Planning & Wills 8:47 Overcoming the Overwhelming Estate Planning Process13:24 Overlooked Estate Planning Responsibilities17:20 Establishing Your Wishes when Incapacitated 21:40 Planning for the Future Once Loved Ones Pass On29:48 Building and Updated your Resources33:53 Legacy Planning and Generational Wealth37:13 Drafting your Will39:10 Estate Planning Mistakes, Final Words of Wisdom

We are so excited to share this very special episode with you - a conversation with some of Alicia’s dear friends. Today we welcome three incredible women Jessica Bodiford, Kisha Williams, and Elizabeth Hope onto the show to discuss love, relationships, family, upcoming holiday plans, what we’re manifesting for 2024, and much more. The conversation feels like a gathering around the dinner table, filled with laughter, insights, and genuine friendship. Order Jessica's book, The Christmas Adventure: An Interactive Nativity Play for Children 4-8 and connect with her on LinkedInConnect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn0:49 Episode Introduction7:08 Dating Life Updates12:01 The Importance of Platonic Friendships 24:39 Current Relationship with the Holiday Season27:08 How Holiday Traditions have Changed 40:24 Career Updates and Goals47:00 Intentions for 2024 and Words of Wisdom