Your Creative Midlife

Do you want to write a book, either now or in retirement? Rather than put off his writing dreams until retirement, Chris embraced the challenges through courses, mentorship, community, and self-education. He went on to write a debut novel and is working on his third book. Chris’s story offers inspiration, empathy, and encouragement for anyone who dreams of writing but doesn’t know where to start.About the guest:Chris Shirley writes contemporary fiction that blends emotional depth with high-stakes storytelling. His debut novel, Playing by the Book (Magnus Books), won a National IPPY Award in religious fiction, becoming the first LGBTQ coming-out novel to receive that distinction. His current novel, Bloody Hell, is an upmarket thriller set in the world of global pharmaceuticals. Before turning to fiction full-time, Chris Shirley led executive communications teams at three Fortune 500 companies—experience that informs the corporate realism of his work.Links:About Chris Shirley: https://www.schrisshirley.com/ Chris’ recommendations for books on writing: https://www.schrisshirley.com/books-on-writing The Writer’s Institute, CUNY: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/writers-institute Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

This week on Your Creative Midlife, I talk with Brooke Berman about her latest film, "Ramona at Midlife," which explores the central challenge of reconciling one's youthful aspirations with the reality of how life actually unfolds. The film follows Ramona, a former essayist turned animal shelter worker, as she grapples with the gap between her 25-year-old self, the person she expected to become, and who she actually became—a struggle shaped by both personal choices and broader cultural shifts. Brooke shares how she made the film on her own terms, how artists at any stage of life can pursue creative ambitions, and the top skills and resources for anyone who wants to make a movie. About the guest:Brooke Berman is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker, and memoirist whose work has been produced and published across the US and abroad. Originally trained as an actor and solo performer, Brooke began performing her own work on the Lower East Side of Manhattan before receiving formal training in playwriting from the Juilliard School and Maria Irene Fornes. Her latest film, “Ramona at Midlife,” is available on Apple, Amazon, and other streaming platforms. Links:Watch "Ramona at Midlife" on Apple TV:https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/ramona-at-midlife/umc.cmc.7b4qpx8ldhzghe90ziw599t74 Watch "Ramona at Midlife" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ramona-at-Midlife-Brooke-Berman About Ramoa At Midlife:https://www.ramonaatmidlife.com/About Brooke Berman:https://brookeberman.net/ Brooke Berman on Substack:https://substack.com/@brookeberman “In Anna Quindlen’s Latest Novel, Hardship Is Relative” by Jennifer Weiner, The New York Times:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/books/review/more-than-enough-anna-quindlen.htm“Why Women Still Can’t Have it All” by Anne-Marie Slaughter, The Atlantic, 2012: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/ Resources mentioned by Brooke:SunDance Collab: https://collab.sundance.org/About-Collab Film Fatales: https://www.filmfatales.org/ Film Stack Substack: https://filmstackdailydigest.substack.com/No Film School: https://nofilmschool.com/ Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

What do doctors and scientists do in retirement? In this week’s episode, Betsy speaks with Bob Veselis, a former anesthesiologist, about his art practice and how he transitioned from medicine to becoming an artist.About the guest:Bob Veselis, a retired anesthesiologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, has returned to painting, collage, and piano playing in his retirement. His artistic work has evolved from more traditional, representational painting to a more abstract, intuitive approach, where he starts without a fixed plan and lets the work develop organically. Bob sees his artistic practice as a way to tap into his creativity and find new channels of self-expression, similar to how he found research and problem-solving in his medical work to be a creative outlet.Resources:The Failure Of Success Creativity Study, Dr. George Land https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFD5UdGTOmw&t=70sDo Schools Kill Creativity? Sir Ken Robinson, TED Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY Values: Building a Better World For All  by Mark Carney: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61965810-values Follow the show:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_creative_midlife/ Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.comPlease rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

I am thrilled to share my conversation with John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension. We talk about creative aging, Juilliard Extension, and how music and the performing arts can help us live more enriched lives.John-Morgan advocates for the importance of lifelong engagement with the arts, explaining that older adults bring a unique depth of emotional experience to their creative pursuits. He highlights how arts participation can combat loneliness, provide a sense of agency and choice, and significantly enhance quality of life. He tells why the word “amateur” has been banned at the Extension and how they are working to bring these ideas to senior living communities.About the guest:John Morgan Bush is the Dean of Juilliard Extension. He is a professional classical musician (French horn) with extensive teaching experience, having worked with students ranging from 6 to 102 years old. He served as the Director of Learning and Learning Programs for the  League of American Orchestras and previously taught at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.Featured Show Music: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Performed by Purchase Symphony Orchestra, March 6, 2026.Resources:Learn More About Juilliard Extension: https://www.juilliard.edu/stage-beyond/juilliard-extensionRead US Surgeon General Report on Loneliness (2023): https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf?ueid=a6a91c99b86e9539783269cb1d6db6fe Can Art Therapies Become Public Policy? Learn from the Jameel Arts and Health Lab https://www.jameelartshealthlab.org/ NYT Article on Amsterdam’s Singing Circle:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/arts/music/amsterdam-concertgebouw-singing-circle.htmlConnect with John-Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-morgan-bush/ Follow the show:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_creative_midlife/ Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.comPlease rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

When you watch a movie, do you ever wonder about the people in the background? What would it be like to work as an extra in the movie business and how do you get that work anyway? In this episode, I talk with Deidre Michael, a former lawyer, about how she became a model and movie extra. It took Deidre following her curiosity to start this new phase of her life. What is something you are curious about, and where could that curiosity take you? Submit your story on my website contact form –  https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com/contact. Remember – it’s never too late to follow your muse!Resources from the episode:https://www.backstage.com/Follow the show:Instagram: https://bit.ly/4tL6rcp Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.comPlease rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

While you're learning to be creative, I'm learning how to do a podcast. In this episode, I reflect on the fantastic first year of the show, podcasting as an older woman, what AI means for our creativity, the connection between creativity and brain health, and what I’ll be exploring on the show in 2026. What is a creative project you are either working on or afraid to start? Write on the contact form on my website -- https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com/Remember – it’s never too late to follow your muse!Your Creative Midlife was recently featured in Esquire! Click the link below:https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/a70233480/creativity-longevity-hack/Follow the show:Instagram: https://bit.ly/4tL6rcp Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com/Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Few of us would dare attempt to become a filmmaker at 65, but that is exactly what Melissa Davey did when she retired from corporate life.  Her second documentary, "Climbing Into Life" profiles Dierdre Wolownick, the oldest woman to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan.  Wolownick was guided through the climbing process by her son, Alex Honnold, famous for his free solo climb up El Capitan.  Melissa recounts how she discovered Wolownick’s story, the process of producing and directing the film herself, and the challenges and successes of navigating the film festival circuit, where the movie has won multiple awards. She speaks about her growth as a filmmaker, her current projects, and offers advice and encouragement to other potential midlife creatives.Topics Covered in the Podcast:  Her growing confidence as a filmmaker, as she produced and directed this film independentlyHow she applied and was accepted into 19 film festivals.  She has won 10 awards, a surprising success in the competitive festival circuit.How her new creative life keeps her energized, motivated and happyHer advice to listeners interested in a midlife creative endeavor: just start and don’t be afraid to ask for help.Interviewee Background: Melissa Davey is a filmmaker who transitioned from the corporate world to a creative career later in life.  At age 65, after a day on the set with a famous Director, she decided to take a risk and left her career to jump into the unknown. Pursuing her dream of becoming a filmmaker became a reality in late 2018 when Melissa completed her first film, Beyond Sixty, a feature length documentary about women over the age of sixty. During 2019 Melissa’s film was accepted by and screened at 8 film festivals throughout the United States and Canada, winning awards and confirming that it is never too late to learn something new. Reousrces:Listen to Melissa Davey's first interview with Betsy on The Latest Version podcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-a-bend-in-the-road-97066344/episode/episode-33-melissa-davey-filmmaker-on-253692875/Watch the trailer for Climbing into Life on Melissa Davey's website: https://melissadavey.com/climbing-into-life/ Follow Melissa Davey's work on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/climbing_into_life/  Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

We've been following the journey that my guest, Graham Broyd, has taken as a first time author from developing a personal story into a manuscript that was published by Forbes imprint Advantage Press. In August, I was honored to be asked by Graham to help him launch Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard on its publication. Here we are at the Scarsdale Golf Club talking to a packed house about his journey as an author and as the book subject, a 20-year-old student from England, hitchhiking across America.Covered in the podcast:The Formative Power of Youth: Broyd repeatedly returned to the idea that his seven-week journey at age 20 was the crucible in which his adult character was forgedThe Value of "Unplugged" Experience: The interview highlighted a journey undertaken without the safety nets of modern technology, revealing a trend of looking back at such experiences as authentic builders of self-reliance and resourcefulnessThe Evolution of Business Publishing: The story of how Forbes, a business publisher, embraced his personal memoir suggested a trend in publishing where "life learning" narratives from business leaders are seen as valuable, moving beyond traditional how-to business guidesInterviewee Background:Graham Broyd is a recently retired former CEO and banker. As a 20-year-old student from England, he won a scholarship to study at the Library of Congress. Instead of focusing solely on his studies, he embarked on a seven-week, largely unplanned hitchhiking trip across the United States. This journey formed the basis of his debut book, which has been published by Forbes imprint, Advantage Press.This conversation was recorded by George Gerbacia at The Scarsdale Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York, on August 14th. Resources:Read Graham's book here: https://advantagebooks.com/books/backpack-jacket-surfboard/ Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

What does it take to be a stand-up comedian in midlife?  Jane Condon has been at it for several decades and gives us the inside scoop of what it really takes to get in front of audiences, develop material, and even recover when a routine bombs.  Jane Condon shares insights into her comedic style, drawing from her life as a wife, mother, and resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, and her persona as an Upper Crust Rosanne (as described by Associated Press).  Key topics include the importance of persistence, (illustrated by her story of sleeping in her car for an audition), developing material, the necessity of "bombing" to improve, and how she has used humor to navigate difficult life events, including her sister's illness and even MC-ing funerals.  She offers encouragement and practical advice to others, especially women in midlife, who might want to try stand-up comedy.Topics include:Why persistence is the critical element of success in comedyThe lengths she has had to go to get an audition, such as sleeping overnight in her car on the streets of Manhattan, which she felt was a necessary step to be seen and heard.  She has embraced her age and says showing her flaws and vulnerabilities on stage is a way to connect with audiences. The moving reason behind her comedy “mission.”Why “bombing” is an essential part of the comedic process: "if you don't bomb, you're not doing it right." Practical advice for aspiring midlife comedians, including classes, support groups, and creating unusual local venues.   Interviewee Background Jane Condon is a successful stand-up comedian who started her career at age 37.  A graduate of Wellesley College, Condon's comedy focuses on topics like marriage, kids, politics, and aging. Living in Greenwich, Connecticut, she has been dubbed an "upper crust Roseanne" by the Associated Press. She won the "Ladies of Laughter" contest and has appeared on "Last Comic Standing." She performs in a variety of venues, from comedy clubs to corporate events and assisted living centers.Links: Learn more about Jane Condon at www.janecondon.comFollow Jane Condon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcondon4/?hl=en Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Graham Broyd was a popular guest when I interviewed him back in February, as his book, Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard was in the final editing stages.  Now his book has launched and is selling very well. Graham, a former banker, shares the surprising amount of work involved in selling a book after publication.  His personal promotion efforts include leveraging his network, hosting book launch events in the US and London, and appearing on podcasts. He also shares surprising industry statistics on book sales and how his publisher has utilized online platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, and Net Galley to reach a wider audience.  Graham’s efforts are paying off:  his book is on track to be in the top 10% of books sold this year, even before the holiday buying season.  Graham is already at work on his next book, "Faster Than You at 60", and he previews the incredible backstory of one of the sprinters he profiles.Topics covered:Selling the book. How Graham leveraged his extensive personal and professional network to generate sales.The strategy to expand sales beyond “friends and family.”The shocking real statistics about the book industry. Through his marketing efforts, Graham’s book is on track to place in the top 10% of all books published in the US for 2025.The digital marketing strategy reaching readers outside his network.The psychic rewards of reviews from strangers who connected with the book's themes.Interviewee Background:Graham Broyd is a British-American former banker who has transitioned to being an author in his midlife. He is also a competitive track athlete, running short-distance races and competing for the US team in his age group, a passion that has inspired his next book, currently in the worksResources:Read Graham's book here: https://advantagebooks.com/books/backpack-jacket-surfboard/ Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

For the last Nantucket edition of the year, I’m sharing a personal story that kind of fits with the spooky season of Halloween.  It’s the story of my first visit to Nantucket, only five years ago during COVID, when the island was shut down.   During those months when the town was almost deserted, it was very easy to imagine Nantucket as the setting for ghost stories told at night on the beach around a campfire.Nantucket exerts a pull for many of us that we can’t really explain.  Of course, it’s beautiful and charming in the summer, but some of us wonder if there isn’t something else going on.   Please enjoy my tale of Nantucket discovery.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Enjoy this Replay with Astrologer and Tarot Reader Suzanne Keating!Summer can offer us time to contemplate the future and imagine life changes. If you are on Nantucket, you might consider consulting Suzanne Keating. She's an astrologer with a longstanding practice on the island.  With interest in astrology and tarot growing, it's a great time to learn more about this ancient practice.  Our talk also covered the historical roots of astrology and its connection to modern psychology through figures like Carl Jung.  For Suzanne, astrology and tarot is not about fortune-telling, but a tool for validation, helping people find purpose and to understand if they are on the right path. Nothing is inevitable, she stresses.  It is up to her clients to use their free will to make decisions.This episode covers:The importance of creating natal charts for a truly personal astrology readingHow to make the most of an astrology reading, using the information given and your own free will to decide your next stepsWhat really happens in a tarot card readingWhat the feared tarot cards "Death" and “Devil” REALLY symbolizeSuzanne’s hypothesis as to why so many houses on Nantucket are believed to be hauntedSuzanne Keating is a professional astrologer with a longstanding practice on Nantucket. She began studying astrology in her early thirties, initially as a self-taught practitioner, before pursuing formal development through workshops with the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR) and conferences. She earned her certification from the International Society for Astrological Research after passing a rigorous six-hour exam.Suzanne’s contact info:  https://www.pathwaysofthesoulack.comPlease rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Is there a connection between the relaxed vibe of Nantucket Island School of Design and Art (NISDA) and its way of inspiring creativity in midlife?  This farm-turned-art workshop, with its silos and outbuildings on Wauwinet Road, feels like a true throwback to Nantucket in the ‘70’s, which is when it was founded.  Laura Herhold, NISDA’s program director, talks with host Betsy Bush about NISDA's mission to provide a low-tech, judgment-free environment for creative exploration, with a particular focus on welcoming adult learners who are returning to art.Laura talks about the psychological barriers that older students often face when learning to create art and emphasized the health benefits of learning new creative skills.  She also details specific programs such as ceramics, painting, and the revival of an analog photography darkroom with a focus on environmentally friendly techniques. The conversation highlights the importance of artistic process over product and the social benefits of creating art in a community setting.Covered in the Podcast:NISDA consciously creates a "judgment free zone" to encourage creativity, particularly for adult learners who are new or returning to art. The school maintains a "low-tech" approach, focusing on creative process and basic materials rather than the latest expensive equipment. A significant portion of students are women over 55 who, after raising families or concluding careers, wanted to reconnect with their creative side.  A key challenge for older learners is moving from being an "expert" in their field to being a vulnerable beginner in a studio.Getting involved in the creative process is healthy, especially for aging individuals, as it pushes them out of their comfort zones and forges new neural pathways.NISDA’s ceramics studio serves as a social hub and a "clubhouse," combating social isolation by providing a collaborative and supportive community space.  Interviewee Background: Laura Herhold is the program director at the Nantucket Island School of Design and Art (NISDA). She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design.  She has a long history with NISDA, having been involved in the 1980s and 1990s before pursuing other endeavors and then returning to the school full-time in 2021. She describes herself as both an artist and an administrator with a deep personal connection to the school and a passion for clay.  Resources:Nantucket Island School of Art and Design: https://www.nisda.org/ Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Why is Nantucket such a powerful setting for novels about renewal and reinvention? The island seems to be a place where life can change in the course of a summer, especially for those in midlife facing an empty nest or a change in a relationship.  As author Nancy Thayer explains, Nantucket is for many people a magical place that changed her own life and now provides a setting where her characters can reset and start over.  Thayer has turned that magic into an amazing 35 novels, most of them set on island, focusing on the lives of ordinary women who can find respite from life issues of raising kids, family relationships and marriages. She also shares her writing process and her embrace of social media to stay in touch with her many fans.Over the more than 40 years of her writing career, she has broken ground on topics not addressed in the novels of the time, such as step-parenting. With the Hot Flash Club series, she addressed menopause long before it became a mainstream topic.Covered in the podcast:Why she focuses on the lives of ordinary women across all generations, who have often been left out of literatureHow and why she incorporates changing social norms into her storiesHer highly disciplined writing process that enables her to produce a new novel every yearHer encouragement for aspiring writers in midlife,Her use of social media to connect with readersThe enduring importance of physical books, how the act of reading is an intimate, personal experience essential for mental health.About Nancy Thayer:She is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including Summer Light on Nantucket, All the Days of Summer and Summer Love and many more.  Born in Kansas, Thayer has for forty years been a resident of Nantucket, where she currently lives with her husband Charley.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Charley Walters proves that you don’t have to create art to be immersed in it.  Over the 50 years he has lived on Nantucket, Charley has become a guiding presence in the island’s evolving arts scene.In this episode, he recounts his early career writing album reviews for Rolling Stone magazine and the Boston Phoenix while owning Nantucket’s only record store.  As the music industry shifted, he leveraged his expertise to start a new career in midlife, becoming a radio host for a jazz and blues show on WACK 97.7 FM and teaching occasional courses on music history. Charley is also deeply involved with the Dreamland theater, where he co-programs a popular year-round film series called "Film for Thought" that caters to an older demographic interested in documentaries, foreign films, and independent cinema.Charley also reflects on the significant changes on Nantucket over the past 50 years and the evolution of its creative community, offering insights and advice for aspiring creatives drawn to the island.In this episode:Career reinvention in midlife is achievable by staying connected to your core passions, even as the industries around them change.Targeted, curated cultural programming can be successful, especially when it serves a specific and often overlooked demographic, such as an older audienceThe demise of the gatekeepers that kept new artists at bay presents a dilemma: new technology makes it easy for creators to make and distribute content, but audiences feel overwhelmed by the avalancheWhile Nantucket offers unique resources and opportunities for creatives, there are significant economic barriers, primarily the cost of livingLinks:https://www.nantucketdreamland.org Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

How many of you out there have dreams of forming a rock group with your pals playing the music you love? In this episode, members of the Nantucket-based Beatles cover band, Cranberry Alarm Clock, discuss their recent experience traveling to Liverpool to perform at the International Beatle Week Festival.Band members Phil Proch, Tom Proch, Frankie Hunter, Skip Curtin share their origin story, how they came together as musicians in midlife on Nantucket. They reflect on the importance of community, the joy of playing music, and the strong, ego-free dynamic that defines their group.They also describe the thrill and pressure of playing at the legendary Cavern Club, and the overwhelming support they received from their local community and from friends and family who traveled to see them.Covered in the podcast:The trend of individuals in midlife picking up artistic pursuits they had set aside for careers and family, using their passion to build new social connections and experiences.An emerging path for hyper-local artists to achieve international recognition.Success and longevity comes from strong personal dynamics, a lack of egos and a shared focus on having fun.Resources:Follow Cranberry Alarm Clock on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/cranberryalarmclock/Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

“What an interesting life you’ve led.  You should write a book.”  Has anyone ever told you that?  Or maybe you’ve thought this about your own life?   There are many reasons to write a memoir.  You may find it cathartic to “get it all out there” or maybe you have a life story that you think readers will find entertaining.  Either way, says memoirist and writing workshop leader Sarah Saffian, there is a difference between therapeutic writing for its own sake and writing for publication.  Working through these distinctions in a workshop setting with an experienced teacher can help you get your memoir writing to the place you want it to be.Covered in the podcast:How Sarah Saffian helps students craft a compelling story that will engage an audience.Approching your life story with necessary emotional distance and perspectiveReceiving and giving feedback in a workshop setting is a valuable learning experience that helps writers improve their own craft.Why it's important In a workshop to "critique the work and not the life” to keep the focus on the craft of writingWhy Sarah encourages students to read extensively in the memoir genre to deepen their understanding of the craft.Sarah's strategies for managing concerns about family members, should your memoir be published.Interviewee Background: Sarah is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and author. Her memoir, "Ithaka: A Daughter's Memoir of Being Found," about her experience as an adoptee reconnecting with her birth family, has been called a classic of the adoption genre. She teaches memoir and profile writing at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival and has developed a "Therapeutic Writing" approach that combines her expertise in psychology and creative writing.saffian.comPlease rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Stella Fosse retired from her biotech career ten years ago and started writing.  Her work encompasses a surprising range, from blogs to novels to non-fiction guides for midlife women who want to write their own stories filled with love and romance.  Her new book is “Rock On: Power, Sex & Money After 60”.  As she says, “Nobody told me how great life after 60 could be.”  This episode covers:How Stella began her writing journey by joining a writing group that challenged her to write sexy stories for a live audience.How she was motivated to write stories featuring older women to show others what is possible in later life.Stella’s background in biotech inspired her romance novel "Vampires of a Certain Age," featuring a 500-year old woman.When Stella identified a gap in the market for romance novels with older women, she wrote a guide to encourage more writers to fill this niche.She advocates for the use of community resources like the North Carolina Writers Network, the Willamette Writers, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) as great starting points for aspiring writers.About Stella FosseIn her sixties, Stella Fosse graduated from a biotech career to write sexy stories as a creative antidote to gendered ageism. Stella’s story collection, The Erotic Pandemic Ball, explores romance in quarantine. Her novel Brilliant Charming Bastard is a romantic escapade through the San Francisco tech scene. Her second novel, Vampires of a Certain Age, celebrates the love life of a 500-year-old woman. She launched two books on writing to inspire the creativity of older women. Aphrodite's Pen: The Power of Writing Erotica after Midlife was followed by Write & Sell a Well-Seasoned Romance. For the last ten years, Stella has published essays on creativity, romance, and older women's health. Her upcoming book, Rock On: Power, Sex & Money after Sixty, distills the wisdom of that decade. Website:  www.stellafosse.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellaFosseAuthor/LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/stellafosseInstagram:  @stella.fosseSubstack: stellafosse.substack.comPlease rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Discovering your creative outlet can be beneficial on many levels.  Just ask John Kneapler, who found that painting helped him through the death of both parents.  Then the impact of COVID on his graphic design business led him to move into painting full-time. John describes the profound importance of finding a creative passion and a supportive community, which he discovered at the Art Students League in New York City. We talk about overcoming perfectionism, the value of combining business skills with an art practice, and the challenge of finding purpose in retirement.John encourages others: “Nobody's the best. Nothing's perfect. If you get a result that's 80%, sometimes it's plenty. You are doing fine.”Topics covered in this episode:How arts practices, such as painting, can help combat isolation that may come with aging The health benefits to pursuing creative passions with others, as found in the maxim, "if you find your passion and do it with a like-minded community, you'll add seven years to your life.” How "the new longevity" may mean your retirement might be almost as long as your career, making it crucial to find meaningful pursuits.How John uses his marketing skills to mentor fellow art students on the business side of their art, helping them set up an Instagram page, find a gallery, or otherwise promote their work.John Kneapler is an artist who grew up in Miami, Florida, with an early talent for art. Discouraged by his parents from pursuing fine art as a career, he studied at Pratt Institute and founded John Kneaper Design, a prominent graphic design and branding company in New York. His firm worked with high-profile clients such as MoMA and Citerella. Following significant life events, including the loss of his parents and the closure of his business during the pandemic, he retired from graphic design to pursue his lifelong passion for painting.   He serves on the board of the Art Students League in New York City.Resources:John Kneapler’s Website: https://johnkneaplerpaintings.com/John Kneapler’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnkneaplerpaintings/ John Kneapler Design firm (closed): https://www.johnkneaplerdesign.com/The Art Students League: https://www.artstudentsleague.org/ Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Summer can offer us time to contemplate the future and imagine life changes. If you are on Nantucket, you might consider consulting Suzanne Keating. She's an astrologer with a longstanding practice on the island.  With interest in astrology and tarot growing, it's a great time to learn more about this ancient practice.  Our talk also covered the historical roots of astrology and its connection to modern psychology through figures like Carl Jung.  For Suzanne, astrology and tarot is not about fortune-telling, but a tool for validation, helping people find purpose and to understand if they are on the right path. Nothing is inevitable, she stresses.  It is up to her clients to use their free will to make decisions.  This episode covers:The importance of creating natal charts for a truly personal astrology readingHow to make the most of an astrology reading, using the information given and your own free will to decide your next steps What really happens in a tarot card reading What the feared tarot cards "Death" and “Devil” REALLY symbolizeSuzanne’s hypothesis as to why so many houses on Nantucket are believed to be hauntedSuzanne Keating is a professional astrologer with a longstanding practice on Nantucket. She began studying astrology in her early thirties, initially as a self-taught practitioner, before pursuing formal development through workshops with the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR) and conferences. She earned her certification from the International Society for Astrological Research after passing a rigorous six-hour exam. Suzanne’s contact info:  https://[email protected] rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Sometimes the first step in your midlife creative journey is to look back at the things you loved as a kid. For Lela Goldstein, it was building on her love of paper, images, colors and patterns that led her to explore the world of collage. As she approached retirement, she discovered collage as an ideal creative outlet: with “just scissors and paper and glue and something to put your images on,” collage offers endless creative possibilities with minimal investment. Starting just before the pandemic, Lela’s work has continued to grow and explore as she has joined on line groups that encourage, share and critique others’ collage work. Most recently, she took part in the Kolaj Institute’s 2023 seminar in New Orleans and her collage was chosen for the cover of the book, Magic in the Modern World, by Ric Kasini Kadour. She has recently moved to a new community and has joined an arts group, showing that arts practice can help connect you to a newcommunity.Collage has a lot to offer the beginner Doesn't require extensive technical skills and or expensive tools Offers endless creative possibilities with no strict rules Source materials can come from old magazines, greeting cards, receipts,stamps, children's books, and game pieces found at book fairs, antique malls,flea markets, thrift stores Collage books and videos are available for beginners. Search collage techniqueson YouTube or follow collage artists on Instagram Check out Collage Lab, an online community run by artist Kelly Schaub, makes iteasy to interact with other collage artists.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLvVfMkQBnY-http://kolajmagazine.com/content/-https://www.instagram.com/lelaco/?hl=en-https://kolajmagazine.com/content/content/collage-books/magic-in-the-modern-world/Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

The popular Shanty Cruise offers a unique experience for visitors and locals alike—evoking the spirit of long-ago ship crews who sang these working songs as they hoisted sails and weighed anchor. For anyone exploring creative pursuits in midlife or retirement, it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to join in something joyful, musical, and community-driven.Betsy’s conversation with the singers—both in studio and aboard the Minke—dives into the history and origins of sea shanties, as well as their personal experiences performing for passengers. Many of the songs are familiar, and passengers often find themselves singing along—making for an unforgettable summer evening on Nantucket Harbor.The singers themselves—mostly year-round Nantucket residents, with a few summer regulars—combine their day jobs on the island with the joy of singing on the water. Many are also active in local theater and creative arts, reflecting the vibrant artistic community on Nantucket.Special thanks to Shanty Singers Tom Loughlin, Jack Bulger, Pam Murphy, Jenny Gifford, and Pete Sendelbach. And a big thanks to Minke owner Rachel Perkins of Nantucket by Water.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Lynn Savarese, a Harvard-trained lawyer, discovered her love of photography when she took a beginner's photography class at Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y. Soon after, she volunteered to photograph taxidermied birds at the American Natural History Museum, bringing her own materials and artistic viewpoint to the project. Lynn’s astonishing presentation of the birds led to her first solo exhibition, launching her photography career.Points covered in this episode: Learning to use all the features of your camera to utilize its full potential, even ifyour camera is an iPhone. The importance of experimenting, playing, and finding joy in the process ofphotography, rather than focusing solely on the end result. How Lynn has used her photography to raise awareness of issues important toher, such as promote legal protections for survivors of human trafficking. The transformative power of photography and its ability to capture and honor thelives of others. Her current focus on nature photography that captures water and trees in apainterly, abstract style. Her use of different photographic materials and presentation techniques toenhance the artistic quality of her work.NOTE: This episode discusses specific photographs, which can be seen on theYouTube episode and on our website.Lynn’s Website: https://www.lynnsavarese.com/Lynn’s aviary exhibition: https://www.lynnsavarese.com/my-still-life-aviaryLynn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnsavaresephotography/Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Your Creative Midlife – Nantucket EditionYour Creative Midlife is visiting Nantucket for special episodes this summer. Nantucket is a beautiful wedge of sand 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. Just 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, it has a storied human history—from early Indigenous people to English settlers to becoming one of the wealthiest towns in the mid-1800s at the height of the whaling industry. Today, it’s a place full of inspiring people in midlife who are finding creative opportunities to reinvent themselves and pursue new passions after retirement.This episode features Kathi Loughlin, Executive Director of On the Isle, a long-standing community theater group that builds on the legacy of the early 20th-century Actors Colony. It’s a powerful example of how late-blooming artists and post-retirement creatives are keeping the arts alive on Nantucket.On the Isle, with players drawn from both year-round and summer residents, presents musicals and plays to sold-out houses for one weekend each July. They perform in the historic Sconset Casino, a beautiful gathering space built through the fundraising efforts of the original actors. Community-based productions like these are a vibrant part of Nantucket’s creative aging landscape and offer midlife adults meaningful ways to express themselves through the arts.Kathi shares her experience leading the group, drawing on her previous career as head of her own advertising firm. She reflects on her deep connection to Sconset, the spirit and lore of the Actors Colony, the creativity used when working with Artistic Director Carl Schmehl in choosing works to perform each summer, and the joy of artistic collaboration in later life. Her story is a perfect example of creative reinvention in midlife.This year’s production is Working, based on the book by Studs Terkel, adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, with additional music by other Broadway composers. It’s a celebration of work, purpose, and passion—timeless themes that resonate deeply with people exploring second acts and creative purpose after 50.https://www.ontheisle.org/https://www.sconsetcasino.com/Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Dan Moretti is a lawyer in New York City who is finding success as a playwright.  During COVID, Dan started writing one-act plays, which have since been produced by New York theater workshop groups with professional actors.  His plays draw inspiration from his own life experiences, including his background as a lawyer. Dan tells about the inspirations for his work, how his attorney training helps him structure his plays and how he broke into the NYC world of theater workshops, where new works are discovered.Topics we cover: Where he gets his ideas and inspiration. His plays "The Groomer" and "Ascension Day" tackle timely social and political issues. How he structures his plays, drawing on his experience as a trial lawyer to keep the narrative arc on track. How he connected to the New York theater community, getting his plays selected for production and attracting the involvement of experienced Broadway actors anddirectors.  How he sees playwriting as a fulfilling creative outlet and a potential retirement activity, so different from his work as a lawyer.Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

After a 33-year career as a pediatric dentist, Manhattan-based Dr. Deborah Pilla took on a challenge that rewards her love of art and of learning:  becoming a docent and a school programs guide at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her work with children in her dental practice makes her a natural for engaging students during museum tours.  She also has her own arts practice, which she views as an important creative outlet.  She has taken on a new project, writing a children’s story and developing it for publication.Topics we cover: How she became a docent at the Met, a rigorous and competitive process, requiring extensive research, writing, and public speaking skills. The fulfillment she finds in sharing her knowledge and passion for art, especially with students who may be visiting a museum for the first time. The intersection of science/medicine and the arts, and how skills from one field can translate to the otherHer favorite exhibits at the Met and why – her answer may surprise you.  The importance of staying intellectually engaged and finding creative outlets in retirement The transformative power of art in providing perspective, calm, and wonder Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

They met in tap dancing class in NYC as young theater hopefuls.  Marriage, babies and a move to the suburbs followed.  But they never lost their love of theater.  Now, post retirement, they are finding their way back to the stage.  Kathleen Mahan is now a director and theater arts teacher working with both kids and adults.  And after years of involvement in local theater, Steve has re-entered the professional world.Discussion includes:Kathleen's transition into directing showcases her growth and passion for the craft.  She started with working with children and eventually moved to directing more complex plays, including "Clybourne Park" and "Significant Other". Steve has recently returned to professional theater, landing roles in several musicals after retiring from his IT career.  Steve describes his training regime of working with voice teachers and coaches.  Both encourage theater hopefuls to take classes and start auditioning.Steve and Kathleen’s extensive theater-going habits and their discussions about the craft  have helped inform their own work.Their theater contacts have led to participation in the vibrant ecosystem of new play development and readings in the New York metropolitan area.They encourage others who may have given up on their creative dreams to pursue them, noting that fear of failure should not hold people back. Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

For anyone who regrets quitting their music lessons when they were little and assumes it’s too late to go back, please listen to Elena Rahona talk about founding the New York Late Starters Orchestra, modeled on a similar one in London.  “Late starters” are people who want to resume playing their childhood instruments, are learning a new instrument, or have never played before.  Late Starters ensembles emphasize coming together as a community to make music. The discussion covers the importance of music-making as a community activity, the challenges and vulnerabilities of adult learners, and the value of creating spaces where imperfection and joy are celebrated rather than perfection being the sole focus. Elena Rahona is the co-founder of the New York Late Starters Orchestra.  She had always wanted to play the violin but did not have the opportunity until later in life when she decided to pursue it as an adult.  This experience led her to co-found the Late Starters Orchestra to provide a supportive community for other adults in a similar position.  Key PointsLate starters in music can be those who never had the chance to learn an instrument, those who played as children but had to stop for various reasons, and those who are starting a new instrument later in life.Late starter orchestras like the New York Late Starters Orchestra welcome players of all levels, including complete beginners, and focus on creating a supportive, judgment-free environment for music-making.  Music-making is valuable not just for the music itself, but for the sense of community, connection, and pursuit of beauty it can provide, especially in challenging times. There is a need to shift expectations around music-making, away from perfection and towards joy, self-expression, and the process of creating something together.  Starting or returning to music-making as an adult can be daunting, but having the right teacher or conductor, appropriate music, and a welcoming space can make a big difference. There are potential benefits of music-making for older adults, both in terms of cognitive brain-hand coordination and social connection. Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Extended Version of Episode 2Graham Broyd thought he’d write down the stories of his adventures as a 20-year-old from the UK hitchhiking across the United States, stories he’d been telling friends for decades.  Through a series of improbable events, Forbes publishing discovered him, and the result is Graham’s forthcoming book, "Backpack Jacket Surfboard."We talk about Graham’s experience working with the Forbes editorial team, Graham also compares his experience self-publishing his book on the Panama Canal treaties to the more comprehensive and professional approach taken by Forbes for his hitchhiking memoir.  He also discusses the potential challenges of marketing and distribution, as the success of the book will depend on him engaging with audiences in traditional in-person appearances.We also touch on personal reflections from his journey that include his father’s service as an RAF Lancaster Bomber pilot in WWII.Key PointsGraham initially wrote his hitchhiking stories just for his amusement and to share with friends, not expecting to publish a book.  After seeing his social media posts about potentially writing a book, Forbes reached out to Graham and offered him a publishing deal. Graham went through an extensive editorial process with Forbes, working with editors to refine and polish his manuscript.  They helped him expand on the personal reflections and impact of his experiences, rather than just recounting the stories.  Graham also self-published an earlier book on the Panama Canal treaties as a learning experience before working with Forbes and compared the two processes. Graham’s father's history as a young RAF bomber pilot during WWII is woven into the narrative of the book.  Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

Graham Broyd thought he’d write down the stories of his adventures as a 20-year-old from the UK hitchhiking across the United States, stories he’d been telling friends for decades.  Through a series of improbable events, Forbes publishing discovered him, and the result is Graham’s forthcoming book, "Backpack Jacket Surfboard."We talk about Graham’s experience working with the Forbes editorial team, Graham also compares his experience self publishing his book on the Panama Canal treaties to the more comprehensive and professional approach taken by Forbes for his hitchhiking memoir.  He also discusses the potential challenges of marketing and distribution, as the success of the book will depend on him engaging with audiences in traditional in-person appearances.We also touch on personal reflections from his journey that include his father’s service as an RAF Lancaster Bomber pilot in WWII.Note:  While this episode was edited for time constraints, Graham’s full interview, which includes a deep dive into the financial issues of different options for aspiring writers, agent vs publisher vs hybrid vs self-publishing, is available in the extended version in the Season 1 playlist.Key PointsGraham initially wrote his hitchhiking stories just for his amusement and to share with friends, not expecting to publish a book.  After seeing his social media posts about potentially writing a book, Forbes reached out to Graham and offered him a publishing deal. Graham went through an extensive editorial process with Forbes, working with editors to refine and polish his manuscript.  They helped him expand on the personal reflections and impact of his experiences, rather than just recounting the stories.  Graham also self-published an earlier book on the Panama Canal treaties as a learning experience before working with Forbes and compared the two processes. Graham’s father's history as a young RAF bomber pilot during WWII is woven into the narrative of the book.  Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!

After many turns as a marketing and media entrepreneur, Cherie Corso turned her energy and talent to abstract painting, with great results. Just two years in, she’s exhibiting her canvases, making sales, and even donating a few to charities for auction. She shares her latest project, The Pulse of New York: she took canvases to all five boroughs, where people on the street would interact and leave their mark on them. Cherie models the fearlessness that many later in life artists may need to inhabit to persevere and thrive. She and Betsy discuss starting a new class when others around you appear more accomplished; resolving to continue yourpractice in the face of skepticism by friends and family; and how skills and habits from her business life have helped her establish herself in the art world. See Cherie’s work @cheriecorsoart and www.cheriecorsoart.comhttps://creativityworkshop.com/articles/med-schoolshttps://creativityworkshop.com/articles/working-with-your-hands-is-good-for-your-brainPlease rate and review on Apple Podcasts.  And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com.  Are you on your own artistic or creative journey?  We want to know about you!  Please contact us through the website.  Dare to follow your muse!