Mariann Aalda—actor, hypnotherapist, and joyful “pro-aging evangelist”—invites us to rethink what it means to grow older. She interrogates ageism, asking“ Why should youth get all the good press?” And declares, “My vibrancy and vitality are due to my being Age-full, not Youth-full!” Drawing on a 30-year television career and her work in hypnotherapy and neurolinguistic programming (NLP), Mariann explores how language shapes our inner lives—“the words we use become internalized and we behave accordingly.” Today, through stand-up and solo performance, she shares her authentic self with candor and humor, encouraging women to pursue their dreams and “use our time wisely with curiosity, creativity, and joy.”

“I’m not an older version of myself—I’m the Newest Model.” - Mariann Aalda

Connect with Mariann

Email: mariannaalda@aol.com

Aging Shamelessly https://www.mariannaaldainherprime.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Our Sponsor: Plymouth Place in LaGrange Park, IL. has redefined senior living with options and opportunities to fit individual needs and preferences. From well-designed residences to fitness and wellness classes to social gatherings, arts experiences and care services – this is a place to thrive. As an entrance-fee based Life Plan community, Plymouth Place offers a full continuum of care including residential living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehab – all conveniently on one campus. www.Plymouthplace.org

Age-Wise Collective: Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined connects with other women podcasters to shine the light on remarkable women in mid-life and beyond.

We recognize Jane Leder, host of Older Women and Friends: Stories of Aging Well, whose guests take a deep dive into the joys and challenges of being an older woman. Older women know a thing or two about living with a keen sense of wonder and an abiding appreciation for the gift of longevity. The second wave of the journey has just begun. https://janeleder.net

https://www.youtube.com/@olderwomenandfriends

https://www.instagram.com/older_women_and_friends_/

At 86, Sandra “Sandy” Taenzer reflects on a lifetime of innovation in Early Childhood–Special Education that began in the 1960s in Germany and still resonates today. Working in a large Illinois School District, Sandy helped initiate early childhood special education through a Federal “First Chance Grant” in 1972. She and a multi-disciplinary team championed “natural, play-based assessment and play as the basis for early learning” She also pioneered collaborative partnerships with school districts and agencies, building interdisciplinary teams to serve children and families more holistically. Since moving to Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior in 2004, Sandy has become affectionately known as “Grandma Sandy,” volunteering through home visits, childcare centers, and one-on-one mentoring. Active with Arrowhead Indivisible, she speaks publicly about the Holocaust, sharing stories she heard firsthand from an older neighbor while living in Germany in her early twenties. Sandy warns that she now sees troubling parallels in today’s America.

"I’ve been an activist all my life, working to ensure that every child has the chance to be their best self." - Sandra Taenzer

Connect with Sandy

Email: sft020939@gmail.com

Learn more about Sandy’s ground-breaking work. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library--Oral History Interview - Educational Reform Act 1985 Sandra Taen zer

https://presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/oral-history/collections/taenzer-sandra/interview-detail/

Thanking Our Sponsor: Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, IL.

Discover the extraordinary at Plymouth Place—a vibrant community designed for active adults. Elevate your retirement living experience with tailored independent options, premier amenities, and a full continuum of care. Explore diverse living choices and embrace the joy of a life well-lived. http://plymouthplace.org

Recognizing the Age--Wise Collective: Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined has joined other women podcasters to amplify the voices of women over 50.

We shine the light on gerontologist Sally Duplantier, founder and host of My Zing Life, dedicated to helping older adults live their best lives longer. Her current Healthspan work focuses on improving health behaviors and mental well-being for vulnerable populations through community-based health coaching. https://sally@myzinglife.com

Some people discover their purpose early in life. For Karen Olson, 81, that moment came at age 18 when she offered a simple sandwich to a homeless woman outside a New York train station. Decades later, after retiring from her marketing career, she revisited that memory—and learned that nearly 35% of people experiencing homelessness are families. That realization sparked the beginnings of Family Promise.

In her book, Meant for More: Follow Your Heart and Find Your Purpose, Karen shares how Family Promise grew from a compassionate idea into a nationwide organization helping families return to independence. Through transitional shelter, counseling, education, and job resources—supported by partnerships with local congregations and community organizations—Family Promise ensures that parents preserve their dignity and children remain in school during times of crisis.

An unfortunate accident during a cryotherapy session left Karen wheelchair‑bound, but it has not diminished her determination to combat poverty and homelessness. Her work continues to inspire thousands of volunteers and families across the country.

";Passion First. Plan. Persistence-this is the way to make change happen."

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Email: kolson110@comcast.net

Book: Meant for More: Follow Your Heart and Find Your Purpose

Website: https://familypromise.org/what-we-do/programs-services/