EP420: Today’s guest is Paula Swope, her social media followers call Paula the most relatable self-help author ever. She is a self-empowerment leader and author of Thought Snob: The Modern Spiritual Playbook for a Better Life.

Paula shares her incredible journey of transformation, from being raised in rural Kentucky to believe her impoverished life was all that was possible, to becoming a prominent voice in the self-help space. Once she discovered her thoughts were actually lies she had been programmed to believe from a young age, she was able to change her mindset and overcome the odds that many who come from similar backgrounds never can.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Paula’s upbringing and the limiting beliefs she had to overcome.
• What the words SLOB and SNOB really mean in Paula’s world, and it’s GENIUS!
• What the term “conscious creation” means and how it’s a technique anyone can use to better their life.
• The importance of developing emotional intelligence and how this awareness allows for deeper healing and personal growth.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to break free from self-limiting beliefs and step into a life of personal empowerment. Paula’s story is not just inspiring—it’s a blueprint for taking control of your own narrative, no matter where you come from.

Tune in to hear Paula’s wisdom and be reminded that your reality is only limited by the thoughts you think each and every day.

Other ways to find and connect with Paula are:

Website: http://www.paulaswope.com/

Thought Snob: https://thoughtsnob.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepaulaswope/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PBSwope/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below:


Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

EP419: Today’s guest is Linda Ward, a life coach and writer with a passion for adventure, self-love, and personal growth. Linda shares her incredible journey of spending three transformative months in Italy with her husband, an experience sparked by her husband's dream and their shared love for travel.

Linda reflects on major life transformations, including her divorce at age 47, and how she found love, first for herself and then with a new partner, in her late fifties. She emphasizes the power of loving yourself, building confidence, and embracing courage to follow what lights you up, even when life presents challenges.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Creating deep, meaningful connections through travel, while facing the challenges of a worldwide pandemic.
• The power of small steps toward dreams and not letting fear hold you back from what you truly desire.
• How she was able to find courage and confidence after her marriage ended unexpectedly.
• Her take on the phrase “fake it until you make it,” and how to use it to help you.

Linda explains how Italy became not just a destination but a place of deep personal transformation, where daily habits of self-love and positive self-talk led to profound growth. She opens up about how this adventure allowed her to navigate life’s challenges with courage and joy.

Her wisdom as a life coach shines through as she offers practical advice for others who want to pursue passions and create a life filled with joy and adventure, no matter their stage in life.

For anyone facing challenges at midlife, Linda’s story will leave you hopeful and excited about embracing life and exploring new adventures and will provide practical advice to help you take those first steps.

Other ways to find and connect with Linda are:

Website: https://www.couragedaily.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CourageDaily4U

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couragedaily4U/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-ward

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below:


Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

EP418: Today’s guest is Amy Weiland Daughters, an accomplished keynote speaker, letter writer, satirist, sports journalist, and the award-winning author of two books: Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter and You Cannot Mess This Up: A true story that never happened.

Known for her deep love of storytelling and human connection, Amy shares the fascinating story behind her first book and how it led to reigniting old friendships, forging new, meaningful connections, and changing lives. Amy also has a deep love of sports, which she and I connected on, and which is how Amy’s writing career got started.

In this episode, we talked about:

• The power of old fashioned letter writing and how taking the time to put pen to paper is a true act of kindness which is sure to bring unexpected surprises to both the sender and the receiver.
• Real life examples of letters that have made a difference in someone’s life.
• How following your intuition and having the courage to trust that inner voice will never steer you wrong in life.
• The clever way Amy uses time travel in her second book and why it’s something everyone should try.

Amy is absolutely convinced that when human beings connect individually in a meaningful way that nothing can separate them, and this conversation with Amy is packed with heartfelt wisdom and stories that will resonate with anyone interested in cultivating deeper human connections.

Amy is a delight to humankind and will surely inspire you to pick up a pen or pencil and drop a note to someone you know and may have been thinking about before you pressed play on this episode. Let the fact you are listening today be a sign to reach out and connect. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Other ways to find and connect with Amy are:

Website: https://www.amydaughters.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyweinlanddaughtersauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokinhotamys/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below:


Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

EP417: In today’s episode I have two special guests, Laura Smith and Tasha Lorentz, who have joined forces to create a unique event that brings together experts in the field of organization, crossing a wide range of topics - from tips on how to better organize/declutter your home, to mastering your health through meal planning, and even understanding the mindset that drives disorganization - that, if you participate, has the potential to create a better life for you and the people you share your life with.

Their Get Organized HQ Virtual Summit is an annual event that takes place this year from Monday, 9/9 through Saturday, 9/14 and offers over 100 free sessions in a vast array of topics, all focused in some way on getting more organized.

They invited me to be a speaker this year so I invited them to come on the podcast and share:

• Why they do this event which revealed Laura’s heartwarming story that led to her passion about organization.
• Why they designed it they way they do with such a wide range of subjects, many of which might be unexpected topics when it comes to disorganization.
• How Laura and Tasha met and began working together, and how the job Tasha accepted changed the trajectory of her life.
• The logistics of the virtual event: how it works and the opportunities it presents to learn new things and meet like-minded people and improve your life.

To sign up for this event, CLICK HERE. Listeners are encouraged to take advantage of the free sessions which kick off on Monday, 9/9. Once you sign up, you will receive emails every day on what sessions will be available to watch as well as how to get lifetime access to all of the sessions.

My session will be aired on Friday, 9/13 at 10am EST and will be available to watch for 24 hours.

If you are listening to this episode AFTER 9/14, when the event is over, you can CLICK HERE to grab the ALL ACCESS pass which gives you immediate access to all of their 2024 event content, including lots of extra freebies and bonuses from the speakers and from Laura and Tasha.

Sign up today, then hop into the Facebook Group - you’ll get the link in email after you sign up - and start learning how to foster a more organized, peaceful and joyful home environment. And please tell your friends about it! They’ll love you for it!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below:


Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

EP416: Today’s guest is Donna Ferris, who I first met when she was a guest on my podcast over two years ago (Episode 220). I invited Donna back to get an update on her life and talk about her new book, Bounce Back Stronger: Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, which is a unique book with a workbook aspect meant to help people navigate through difficult times in life.

Our conversation focuses on why Donna wrote this book, which is filled with powerful stories from her journey, as well as the various tools that helped her overcome significant personal challenges, including a painful divorce, the tragic loss of her fiancé, and the unexpected news that her youngest child was transitioning to a new gender.

In this episode, we talked about:

• The tools in the book that have helped Donna through her hardest times.
• The #1 mistake experts make when recommending self-care in the healing process.
• How neuroplasticity helps our brains adjust to and recover from grief and loss.
• The therapeutic power of small acts of kindness and helping others.

This episode is rich with personal stories, practical advice, and inspiring thoughts on resilience and healing, offering listeners valuable insights into living a life filled with peace and purpose.

To learn more about Donna and her work, you can go to:

Website: ​​http://www.donnayferris.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnayferris/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donnayatesferris/

If you'd like to connect or reach out to ME, you can find me at:

Website: www.notyouraveragegrandma.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright Instagram: www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

EP415: Today’s guest is Polly Angel, an expert in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). Polly shares her inspiring journey from an elite equestrian athlete to a certified RTT therapist, driven by her own struggles with body image which led to her discovery and interest of RTT as a teenager.

In this episode, we dive deep into the mechanics of RTT, a powerful method that blends neurolinguistic programming, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnosis to uncover and rewire subconscious beliefs formed in early childhood.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Rapid Transformational Therapy and how it works.
• Polly’s back story and how she transitioned from an elite equestrian athlete to a certified RTT therapist.
• How subconscious programming influences behavior and the ability of RTT to heal past traumas and improve mental well-being.
• The importance of embracing authenticity and engaging in self-discovery to live your best life.

Polly brings a wealth of experience and insight into how our subconscious mind can either hold us back or propel us forward, depending on the beliefs we've internalized since childhood. She shares not only the technical aspects of RTT but also her personal story, providing a real-life example of how this therapy can lead to profound change.

Listen in as this conversation serves as a reminder that self-discovery is a continuous journey, one that can lead to deeper healing and a more empowered existence.

Other ways to find and connect with Polly are:

Website: http://rapidshifttherapy.com

Email: polly@rapidshifttherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapidshifttherapy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/polly-angel-0213852ab

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) the podcast (if you haven't already) so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me or send a message using any of the sites below:



Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

EP414: Today’s guest is Laura Strachan, retired teacher, cancer survivor, and author of her first children’s book that’s coming out later this month. In this interview we delve into her transformative journey from a place of depression to becoming a beacon of light and joy. When we met in late 2020, she was unable to get out of bed so Laura's journey to becoming an author and true example of living a sparked second half is nothing short of remarkable.

Her upcoming children's book, "Pickles the Mermaid," represents more than just a literary achievement; it symbolizes a dream nurtured for over two decades, finally coming to fruition.

In this episode, we talked about:

• How meditation and self-care practices played a crucial role in her transformation and helped her connect with her true purpose.
• The importance of listening to “heart whispers” as Laura shares examples of hers and how they led to inspiring her to act on her dream of writing a children's book.
• Reflecting on past retreats, highlighting how these experiences facilitated Laura's journey to true alignment with her dreams and desires, even after she was sparked.
• The real story behind her book and how it came to be named “Pickles the Mermaid” and why it seems it was meant to be.

Laura emphasizes the importance of trusting the process, taking inspired actions, and believing in oneself. Her story encourages listeners to pursue their dreams, no matter how long they have been held, and to find joy in the journey of self-discovery and creation.

Through our heartfelt conversation, Laura’s authenticity shines through and you can feel that she’s living from a truly aligned and fulfilled place. Once aligned, armed with mindset tools, and a supportive community, she was able to hear her “heart whispers” and get serious about chasing her long-held dream.

Let Laura be an inspiration to you in understanding the importance of authentic alignment, belief in yourself and listening to your inner voice as you explore and go after your own dreams.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can learn more about Laura on her website at: https://laurastrachanbooks.com/

Here's a link to the book Laura recommended: Atomic Habits by James Clear

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me at lauriewright@notyouraveragegrandma.com or send a message using any of the sites below:


Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

EP413: Today’s episode is a replay from an interview I did with Merle Saferstein who I interviewed one year ago, and I'm replaying it today because, as I was reviewing past episodes while taking some time off, this one felt very pertinent to my life today, AND because it's one of my most listened to episodes, I thought it was worth bringing back.

Merle has dedicated her life to preserving and passing along the Legacy of Remembrance of Holocaust survivors. As the former director of educational outreach at a Holocaust Center for over two decades, Merle worked closely with hundreds of survivors, helping them share their stories with students and teachers.

Following her retirement, she embarked on a new path, developing a course called Living and Leaving Your Legacy®, through which she teaches and speaks to audiences across the globe. Merle also engages in sacred legacy work with patients at the end of their lives, guiding them through the process of reflecting on their lives and leaving a lasting impact.

In this episode, Merle and I talked about:

• Why she’s always followed her heart vs. logic when it comes to her work.
• How her desire to preserve her memories led to preserving memories for others.
• The impact of journaling and the added value that comes later when you read what you had written earlier in your life.
• The serendipitous meeting that developed into a friendship and eventually a new career.

Merle's journey has been shaped by a deeply ingrained belief she’s held since childhood: the importance of living an interesting life so that there would always be something to write about. Through her writing and journaling classes, she hopes to inspire others to reflect on their own lives, recognize the lessons they have learned, and understand that the way we live our lives ultimately becomes our legacy.

Other ways to find and connect with Merle are:

Website: https://merlersaferstein.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merle.saferstein Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merle-saferstein-43b97739 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merles1212/ Books: Living and Leaving My Legacy, Vol. 1; Living and Leaving My Legacy, Vol. II: A Legacy Journal

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) the podcast (if you haven't already) so you don't miss any new episodes.

You can sign up for my newsletter on my website, or if you'd like to connect with me, you can email me or send a message using any of the sites below:



Website: https://www.notyouraveragegrandma.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.