

Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined
Gail Zelitzky and Catherine Marienau
Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined challenges outdated narratives about aging and celebrates what’s possible in later life.
Through thoughtful conversations, personal reflections, and honest storytelling, the podcast explores creativity, purpose, resilience, and reinvention after 70. Each episode features real voices and lived experience, offering insight and inspiration for navigating this stage of life with curiosity and intention.
This podcast is for women who refuse to be invisible, who are open to growth and change, and who believe aging can be a time of meaning, connection, and possibility.
Through thoughtful conversations, personal reflections, and honest storytelling, the podcast explores creativity, purpose, resilience, and reinvention after 70. Each episode features real voices and lived experience, offering insight and inspiration for navigating this stage of life with curiosity and intention.
This podcast is for women who refuse to be invisible, who are open to growth and change, and who believe aging can be a time of meaning, connection, and possibility.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2021 • 38min
142 Dara Marks: Engaging the Feminine Heroic - A Journey of Discovery
Within us all are stories to tell that are relevant and essential. Dara Marks, international script consultant, lecturer, author and workshop presenter has always been fascinated by story. Her newest book and seminar, Inside Story, takes you into the depths of the writing process and teaches you how to build a great screenplay from the inside out. She guides us to see ourselves in the archetypal patterns of mythological characters, leading to a deeper understanding of how we grow as we move through our own stories. “If you want to create character in your stories, look at how your own character was created. How you faced the challenges in your life has created the true quality of your character.” - Dara MarksConnect with Dara:Email: Dara@DaraMarks.comWebsite: https://DaraMarks.comBook: Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational ArcNew Seminar: Inside Story:

Oct 27, 2021 • 38min
141 Pamela Tate: Full-time Activist for a Healthier Planet
Pamela Tate, age 75, did not foresee becoming a full-time volunteer leaderof climate reality actions at grass roots and national levels. As a member of the Climate RealityProject-Chicago Metro Chapter, Pam co-chairs the Task Force on Electrifying Public Transit. Intwo years, they engineered a commitment from the Pace suburban bus system to change fromdiesel-powered buses to an all-electric bus fleet by 2040. At the federal level, Pam is on theRegenerative Agriculture Team which targets working with legislators and agriculturalcommittees in the House and Senate to include RA incentives in the 2023 Farm Bill. She chairsthe Federal Advocacy Team to retain climate provisions in the Build Back Better Act. Pam is anelected member of the Board of Directors of American Forests, a national non-profit thatpromotes trees as one of the best technologies for pulling down carbon from the atmosphere.Pam’s advocacy includes many more teams and pilot projects in her quest for a healthierplanet.Pam presents to college classes, companies, and community groups on the climate crisis andeffective strategies for change. Contact Pam at: pam@pamelatate1.com"My climate action efforts range from electrification of public transit toregenerative agriculture to forestation in urban areas." - Pamela TateConnect with Gail & Catherine:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimaginedInstagram: WomenOver70Website:https://womenover70.comEmail: info@womenover70.comShow: Women Over 70 – Aging ReimaginedListen on: Apple Play, Stitcher,Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen. This is how we grow.

Oct 20, 2021 • 31min
140 Ina Pinkney: From Polio Survivor to Breakfast Queen
Ina Pinkney contracted polio 11 years before there was a vaccine, at the early age of 18 months. Marginalized, ostracized and ignored as a child she felt she received a 2nd chance at life when the surgery she had at 6 proved successful. Expecting to die, instead she flourished, and has lived an extraordinary life as culinary artist, baker, breakfast restaurateur, cookbook publisher and world renowned speaker about global influences on breakfast. Experiencing mind-numbing exhaustion and muscle weakness 40 years after the onset of the disease led Ina to find answers. She attended a conference to learn more and was surprised to find a huge community that was experiencing what is now known as Post-Polio Syndrome. As only Ina does, she dove in and became an activist. She is an international spokesperson for Rotary International PolioPlus Foundation and speaks about the late effects of polio and the need for continued vaccinations.“It takes less energy to be courageous than it does to be afraid.”This Episode was Sponsored by The Insurance PeopleIt is Medicare Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment is October 15th - December 7th. Do you need help enrolling? Do you want to shop out your Medicare Supplement, Part D Medication or Medicare Advantage Plan? The Insurance People located here in Illinois specializes in helping folks shop and select the best Medicare option for their needs. You can find them at insuranceppl.com or 773-697-8082.Connect with Ina:Email: thebreakfastqueen@gmail.comBook: INA’S KITCHEN: Memories and Recipes from the Breakfast Queenhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=INA%E2%80%99S+KITCHEN%3A+Memories+and+Recipes+from+the+Breakfast+Queen&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_nossDocumentary: Breakfast at Ina’s (on Amazon)

Oct 13, 2021 • 31min
139 Pauline Coffman: Justice Ministry for Human Rights
Pauline Coffman’s early involvement in youth ministry evolved into justice ministry during her 20+ years as an advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East. Her first visit to Lebanon was as a student in 1959; her next visit to countries in the Middle East was in 1999 as a peace advocate. During the intervening years, Pauline learned to “see both sides of the story” through talking with immigrant rights activist Cesar Chavez in 1962; serving churches, with her husband, in neighborhoods in two states that were undergoing major racial changes in the 1960-70s; feminizing language in hymns and scriptures while Dean of Students at a theological seminary; and creating hospitable environments for adult learners in higher education institutions. Then, as now, Pauline is unafraid to “buck the prevailing world view.” At age 82, she is rejuvenated by working with committed colleagues to build networks between Israel and Palestine.During my decades of advocating for peace and justice in the Middle East, I have learned to hear both sides of the story.

Oct 8, 2021 • 29min
138 Pat Anderson: Breast Cancer and the Busters Project
Octogenarian Pat Anderson, 89, retired from her lifelong career as a textile studio craftsman - spinning, knitting, sewing and weaving. Leaving her daughter in charge of the studio, she embarked on an unusual retirement project: creating and providing hand-knit prosthetics for mastectomy breast cancer survivors. As a lifelong textile studio craftsman, Pat was well versed in the legal, professional, and ethical challenges this project presented. Once everything was in place she filed a copyright. We could see the excitement in her when she proclaimed, “To date, 1500 pairs have been lovingly gifted, from one survivor to another.” 60% of all recipients offer to join the project as co-sponsors with donations. Each pair of Busters that goes out is paid for. At the end of the year there is a surplus which Pat generously donates to the Breast Cancer Support Program at Sharp Memorial Hospital in California. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women Over 70 has committed to donating 20% of all contributions we receive to the Busters Project during the month of October. Contributions are the only form of funding for this important project. “We are blessed to know that we are really creating something that has a positive impact on someone else’s life.” Connect with Pat:Email: spinshuttlestudio@gmail.com

Oct 6, 2021 • 28min
137 Karla Klinger: Writing Emotional Truths Across the Decades
Karla Klinger, age 87, has been a poet much of her life. However, until now, most of her work has been shared privately. As an early podcast guest, Karla read This Particular Dot in Time. This penetrating poem is the last entry in her first published poetry collection, Life Unfolding (2021). Karla unravels her ‘emotional truths’ throughout girlhood to old age. Interspersed between sections of poems are photos of Karla’s pottery, which she continues to create and teach to others. In her episode, Karla shares highlights from her research on the experiences of vital women in their 70s. She reflects on her own experience of aging into her 80s. Karla expresses appreciation for often being able to act through choice than obligation; for example, moving with her husband from a home and community of 54 years to a hospitable independent living facility in Portland, OR. I am a museum of myriad images, a spectrum of emotions, cares, and commitments. Connect with Karla:klingerk@hometownsolutions.netLife Unfolding: Poems by Karla Klinger. Zion Publishing, 2021. Available only on-line in paperback from Amazon and in hard cover from Barnes and Noble. Or in quantity, at discount, contact the author at: poemsbykarla@gmail.com

Sep 29, 2021 • 22min
136 Marva Andrews: Family, Work & Faith - A Satisfied Life
Marva has worked in nursing, real estate, business brokerage and more. Married in 1969 at 22, she raised 3 children, has 9 grandchildren, all of whom live nearby, and believes satisfaction comes from within. For the last 18 years, Marva has satisfied her desire to be closer to her Methodist faith. As Episcopal Secretary for the Bishop in the Northern Conference, she manages 385 churches, the Bishop’s calendar and a myriad of other administrative duties. Planning to work 2-3 more years, she suspects she won’t completely retire and plans to return to real estate. As a younger person she did not enjoy much independence and encourages women to be more independent and learn to make decisions on their own. I rarely sit still. I have to be in some type of helping the situation. - Marva AndrewsConnect with Marva:Email: marva.andrews@gmail.comConnect with Gail & Catherine:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimaginedInstagram: WomenOver70Website: https://womenover70.comEmail: info@womenover70.comShow: Women Over 70 – Aging ReimaginedListen on: Apple Podcast, Itunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and IHeartRadioPlease rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen. This is how we grow.

Sep 22, 2021 • 37min
135 Ellen Shubart: Journalism, Preservation, Policy, Architecture - and Still Going Strong
Ellen’s mother died at 101. Like her mother, Ellen’s current life path is filled with enthusiasm and enrichment. She is fueled by the strong community that is the Docent Volunteers of the Chicago Architecture Center. Even before becoming a docent (certified in 25 different tours), Ellen pursued one path after another that led to her interests in historic preservation and the rich heritage that is Chicagoland architecture. For many years she worked for the Metropolitan Planning Council, wrote 4 books and volunteered for the Glencoe Historical Society, thrilled to be part of the group that saved a Frank Lloyd Wright home that is now turning into a museum in Glencoe.-“As my mother said, You are not even old until you are at least 85.” - Ellen ShubartConnect with Ellen:Email: eshubart@aol.comBooks: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ellen+shubart&i=stripbooks&crid=2DQB30RJ7GBC1&sprefix=Ellen+Shubar%2Caps%2C174&ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_12_ts-doa-pGlencoe Illinois: Images of AmericaTaylor Street: Chicago’s Little Italy What’s With Chicago?: The Quirks, Personality and Charm of the Windy CityChicago: An Illustrated Timeline

Sep 15, 2021 • 26min
134 Donna Lawrence: Pink is Therapeutic - It Will Make You Feel Happy
Donna Lawrence was happily living life until the unspeakable death of her son, at age 20, from a brain seizure. Through the Main Street Entrepreneurs, Matters Cafe and Laughter Yoga, Donna discovered ‘it’s an amazing thing when you realize you can go on’. The color pink helped boost her spirits and, today, she surrounds herself with pink through painting, clothing, decor, and helping others find their pink passion. Painting is therapeutic - it puts you in a zone and improves your focus. Through her company, ItPinkPainting, she guides others to create custom-designed items that are painted pink.“I don’t think much about aging; I think of it as maturity. Stay connected with positive people and you can find the good in anything.” - Donna Lawrence Connect with Donna:Email: itpinkpainting@gmail.com

Sep 8, 2021 • 35min
133 Ingrid Albrecht: Her Art is a Vehicle for Evoking Connections
Worldwide traveler and former teacher at Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art, Ingrid is an established and well-known artist, specializing in watermedia. From florals to petroglyphs, pictographs and hand-made paper making influenced by her travels, Ingrid is inspired by how light and shadow create unusual perspectives.
“My experiences are what help me see and paint what I do today.” - Ingrid Albrecht
Still learning today, she says “Covid taught me to be an artist!” From her studio she offers ‘Open Studio’ workshops, keeps reimagining art and loves sharing the wealth of information she has amassed with the world.
Connect with Ingrid:
Website: https://ingridsartoriginals.com
Email: ingrid@ingridsartoriginals.com
Connect with Gail & Catherine:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimagined
Instagram: WomenOver70
Website:https://womenover70.com
Email: info@womenover70.com
Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Itunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher,and IHeartRadio
Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen. This is how we grow.


