LIBERTY ROAD with Nada Jones

Mimi Ison has never followed a traditional timeline. She started adult ballet at 40, took an unpaid internship at 42, and jumped into the boxing ring for training at 50. Who says there's one way to grow older? Certainly not Mimi—and now in her early sixties, she's one of the most profound, do-it-your-way pro-aging influencers out there. Mimi started her online presence by accident, you could say. Overwhelmed by the loss of her mother and long hours as a creative director, she left work and started blogging about middle age. A couple of years into this, her Instagram account @heymiddleage took off. At 61, she's on a mission to change our feelings about aging by challenging limiting beliefs. You can find her crushing age stereotypes through dynamic physical activities like shuffle dancing, weight training, jump rope, step, boxing, and mobility training. In this episode, Nada chats with Mimi about everything—our changing bodies and lives, what we're all capable of as we grow older, how we can invest in our future selves, and more. Mimi takes us back to her early days on social media and how she got into creating her viral videos on exercise. Plus, she offers a few inspiring tips to get us moving–even if it's just a little bit each day.Check out Mimi’s website and the three books currently on her night stand: Burn Book by Kara Swisher, How to Be Old by Lyn Slater, and Grown Women Talk by Sharon Malone. Follow Mimi on Instagram: @heymiddleagePlease follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention.This episode is brought to you by our friends at NativePath. To begin your bone health journey, go to getnativepath.com/LIBERTY for a special 45% off discount for being a Liberty Road listener.

Elise Loehnen is a writer, editor, and podcast host of Pulling the Thread. Ultimately, Elise is a seeker and synthesizer, braiding together wisdom traditions, cultural history, and a deep knowledge of healing modalities to unlock new ways to contextualize who we are and why we're here. She's also the author of the instant New York Times bestseller On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good. The book explores the ways patriarchy embeds itself in our consciousness. The Seven Deadly Sins—Sloth, Envy, Pride, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Anger—reads like a checklist of what it means to be a "good" woman and offers a path forward, moving ourselves and each other toward freedom and balance. Elise is a frequent contributor to Oprah and has written for The New York Times, Elle Decor, Stylist, and more. She has co-written 12 books, including five New York Times Best Sellers. Previously, she was the chief content officer of goop, and co-hosted The goop Podcast and The goop Lab on Netflix. Before goop, Elise was the editorial projects director of Condé Nast Traveler. Before Traveler, she was the editor at large and ultimately deputy editor of Lucky Magazine, appearing regularly on Today, E!, Good Morning America, and The Early Show. She has a B.A. from Yale. In this episode, Nada sits down with Elise to learn what prompted her to write On Our Best Behavior and to unpack how women have contorted themselves to find a place in history. Elise shares anecdotes about how modesty was prioritized and impacted her life. She discusses the importance of women showing up together and gives us context for why collectivism is essential. This cultural therapist (recently coined at a conference and an appropriate title for Elise) is at once a researcher, teacher, student, and friend. Her ability to clearly articulate our cultural condition gives wings to our unnamed inklings and fragmented thoughts.  Elise is currently reading The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels, Morality by Jonathon Sack, and Integral Psychology by Ken Wilber. You can find additional recommendations at Bookshop, or Goodreads. Check out Elise's website, book, and podcast.Please follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention.

Julie of @thefiftyist is a silver-haired, pro-age content creator and writer who is having an absolute blast on social media at 56. After working in education for many years, Julie left her position for more creative endeavors and found herself battling a second breast cancer (after 20 years) diagnosis. After being derailed for almost two years, she emerged from that period with a sense of gratitude and drive to have more fun while stacking the health odds in her favor by eating and living as healthy as possible. Julie found herself sharing her discoveries in clean makeup and self-care products. Today she is creating content with like-minded brands and writing a book, and guest blogging for Tangled Silver – an online magazine aimed specifically at women with silver hair. Although entering the world of social media in her fifties has been a challenge, it has allowed Julie the creative space to speak her truths for the first time in her life. Her mantra, 'Do things that scare you!'Liza of @hi_ho_silver_liza started an Instagram account documenting her transition to gray and in the process met a digital community of women called the Silver Sisters who she shares, "filled her journey with love, laughter, support, and friendship." At the start of lockdown, she decided to grow out her natural hair color which coincided with the London agency that represented her as a model closing their doors. This new chapter offered an opportunity to buy land next to her home and open the animal sanctuary she had always dreamt about. She is now the loving guardian to six beautiful sheep, two rescue dogs from Bosnia and Greece, and three rescue cats! After three years of growing her natural hues, the opportunity to return to her 25-year modeling career presented itself, this time as a silver-haired, 51-year-old changing the narrative about aging and beauty. Liza says she is first and foremost a mama to two incredible human beings and has been happily married for 30 years. In this episode, Nada sits down with Julie and Liza to discuss their experiences with going silver and with social media. Both did not start their Instagram accounts with the intention of becoming content creators; however, by being present and speaking their truths, their platforms grew. Julie outlines that the first step to conquering social media is having fun and engaging with your followers. Liza combats the falsehood that you should dye your hair, “because you are worth it.” She shares that by allowing her silver hair to grow, found confidence in herself in the new beautiful chapter that is midlife.If you want a good read, we have lots of recommendations this week! Julie recommends Breath by James Nestor. Liza recommends Untamed by Glennon Doyle and Rumi’s poetry. Nada recommends adding There Are No Rules For This by JJ Elliott and Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks to your bookshelf! Follow both Julie and Liza on Instagram: @thefiftyist, @hi_ho_silver_lizaPlease follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention.

Eat Your Flowers started out of Loria Stern's tiny kitchen located on a 1890's built Montecito, California estate. In 2016, while renting one of the cottages on the property, Loria began experimenting with the edible bounty that grew freely on the grounds.  Loria studied medicinal and edible plants all through her years of culinary training.  She didn’t attend culinary school, instead, she received her professional training by working long hours in dozens of kitchens and bakeries. Loria’s vibrant edible botanical creations have been celebrated in Vogue, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and Oprah among others. The Los Angeles-based chef, baker, botanist, gardener, and artist first gained fame as the originator of the botanical pressed cookie and has created many other unique creations along the way. Loria’s EAT YOUR FLOWERS brand values local community, sustainability and inclusivity. She harvests from her own abundant flower garden, works alongside local farmers to source seasonal and organic produce, and implements creative waste reduction and water conservation practices whenever possible.In this episode, Nada sits down with Loria to discuss the edible and medicinal plant class she took in 2012 while working as a pastry chef. Her curiosity led to combining her two interests and launching a business. Loria shares how she went from making cookies in her kitchen to growing an expanding bakery and catering brand. They discuss the opportunities created by having a niche business, and the national publications that took note early on and her recent experience on Shark Tank.

Garance Doré is the founder of the skincare line Doré, which launched in May 2022. Born in Corsica, Garance grew up dipping in and out of the sea and running wild through nature. She established her career, and creative spirit, in Paris before moving to New York to become internationally recognized for her illustrations, street-style photographs, and writing.Garance has returned to her French roots and has merged her love of simplicity and nature with a desire to deliver clean, gentle, and effective Made-in-France skin care for everyone. This newest iteration of Doré was born because Garance believes, "life isn’t meant to be spent in front of a mirror."In this episode, Nada sits with Garance to discuss her journey from fashion influencer and blogger to skincare company founder and writer. Garance holds nothing back and opens up about her struggle with anxiety and depression. From sharing her news on social media to her refusal to be defined by the experience, she is candid and accessible at every turn. Garance also talks about the gift of having a soulful outlet separate from her business and the power of setting boundaries. Be sure to check out Doré’s website, and sign up for her newsletter. And while you're at it, grab a copy of her style guide meets memoir book, Love Style Life--we're sure you'll love it! Follow on Instagram: @dore, @garancedore.Please follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention.

Korinna Howie is the digital creator behind the Instagram account @isthistooyoungforme. There she shares her love of sustainable fashion, cruelty-free beauty, and stuff that makes her, and consequently us, happy. When a family issue required Korinna’s time and attention, she put her career on hold. Desperate for a creative outlet, she decided to try her hand at social media. Her interest in fashion and beauty and her relaxed and casual approach turned her into everyone's BFF. Her account has become more than a “what clothes to wear and which potions to apply” platform. ITTYFM has become a community of kind and like-minded women looking for connection as much as advice.In this episode, Nada sits down with Korinna to discuss her unintended role as an influencer. She gets honest about the money she has made, the types of brands she works with, and the 3 hours a day spent answering DMs. With a focus on being more than a curated account on “the Gram”, she shares the one question she always asks herself before posting anything, “What's in it for the person that follows me?” This is the question that drives her and keeps her community coming back for more.Korinna reminds us to find what gives you joy and make time for those things every day. She also shares her go-to skincare product “Weleda Skin Food.” Follow her on Instagram: @isthistooyoungformePlease follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention.

Raili CA Design is a testament to the passion and love for eclectic California interior design that former fashion executive Raili Clasen is known for. After a successful career with Quiksilver and Paul Frank, Clasen co-founded the trendy housewares brand Alice Supply Co. Her transition into the interior design business was seamless and catapulted by the press around her first home project. Raili CA Design is a full-service interior design firm specializing in new construction, complete remodels, and the occasional cool vintage cottage renovation. In this episode, Nada sits down with Raili to talk about becoming an interior designer in her late 40s and authorship at 60. Raili shares her sales background in the surf world and recalls being constantly drawn to the creatives in that field, sparking an inner desire for design. Later, she and her best friend launched a wildly popular home and tools product line. The PR success of that business opened the door to her first interior design project. Now, at age 60, she leads a business with a boldness and confidence she never had in her earlier years. Raili also shares her top design tips and encourages us to pursue our dreams, no matter our age.Check out Raili’s website and book Surf Style at Home. She is currently reading The Women by Kristin Hannah. Follow on Instagram: @railiclasenPlease follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention. 

Lori Gigantelli, a registered dietitian, earned her B.S. from Colorado State University in Nutrition and Food Science and her dietetic internship at St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center in Minnesota.  She began her career in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, counseling patients in a large outpatient clinicDuring the next 29 years, which included several family relocations, Lori continued to weave projects, volunteerism, and contract work centering around nutrition and wellness into her life, all while raising four children. She led Trim Within™, an adult weight loss program while counseling in a Lipid Clinic.  Lori has worked as a coach for the National Dairy Council's Fuel Up to Play 60 program and as a consultant, piloting the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare (NAP SACC) program. She has provided individual nutritional counseling for weight management and chronic medical conditions and has coached clients to reach their health and wellness goals in clinical and fitness settings.  In this episode, Nada discusses a new business with an old High School friend. Lori tells us about her adventures making chia pudding with her now college-age daughter during the pandemic and how that ultimately led to launching a company together. The concept behind MIXEVE was to deliver an easy-to-prepare chia breakfast and snack. Unlike many of our origin story interviews of women looking back, Lori shares the day-to-day reality of launching a start-up from the trenches. From data-driven decision-making to leaning into her past experiences as a dietitian, Lori has been learning new skills daily to get MIXEVE off the ground and into our homes.Check out MIXEVE's website for overnight chia pudding and chia oatmeal blend dry mixes. Lori suggests you add All the Broken Places by John Boyne, Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure, Leonardo Da Vinci, and The Code Breaker, both by Walter Isaacson, to your bookshelf. Follow on Instagram: @mixeve_overnightchiaPlease follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention.

Gabriella Espinosa is a menopause and sexual wellness coach and host of the podcast “Pleasure in the Pause.” Her work is dedicated to empowering midlife women to own their pleasure, power and purpose.Gabriella believes menopause is an invitation to get to know ourselves better and upgrade our physical, mental and emotional selves to the best version possible. Her guidance takes women on a journey of self-exploration, trust and knowing. “We do get to the other side wiser, stronger, sexier and more empowered!” In this episode, Nada sits down with Gabriella to talk about female pleasure! She offers a new way to understand what pleasure means and how to start reclaiming that word for ourselves in midlife. Gabriella’s journey of self-discovery led to a radical shift in her career and ultimately her work as a sexual wellness coach committed to helping us find the courage to meet ourselves anew as sexual beings.To get started on your own self-discovery, check out Gabriella’s website and journaling prompts. Listen to her podcast Pleasure in the Pause and follow on Instagram @gabriellaespinosa. Please follow us at @thisislibertyroad on Instagram; we want to share and connect with you and hear your thoughts and comments. Please rate and review this podcast. It helps to know if these conversations inspire and equip you to consider your possibilities and lean into your future with intention.