This...I...Do...For...Me: Over 50, Black and Fabulous!

Episode 38 With Felicia Lucas

Felicia has been helping others attain their dreams for many years, and in 2020, she was determined to achieve a long-desired dream – to become a healthier version of her already powerful self. Felicia is clear when she says, "you are not being authentic when you are carrying that much excess weight." Felicia is equally clear when she explains that her initial goal was to lose 75 pounds, and when she did, Felicia was challenged to go even further. She started out by doing simple things that produced big results. She drank plenty of water, she walked every day, and she made a point of eating lean and green! When she would eat that slice of birthday cake, she did not go further into the abyss of overeating, nor did she beat up on herself. She would have a slice, but immediately committed to doubling up on her walking to burn off the cake. She was relentless. Felicia stresses it's the small things done consistently and with determination that make a difference. Before long a weight loss of 75 pounds evolved into a weight loss of 145 pounds. Equally impressive, she did this in 10 months. She is also ultra proud that she did not take to drastic measures to shed the weight – there was no surgeries nor starvation – just a strong desire to show up in the world authentically and happier! Felicia is on a mission to share her journey to a healthier existence with those who want the same thing. She utilizes her Life Coaching credentials to spur others on. She has written a book entitled "The Reinvention of Me: My Transformational Journey". She has also curated a phenomenal journal entitled "Make It Happen: 100 Days To A Better U". The launch date for both publications is Thursday, October 7, 2021. Additionally, Felicia possesses a number of other gifts and talents. She is the Owner and CEO of His Glory Creations Publishing. This endeavor allows her to support emerging writers through the coaching process of writing their stories and getting their works published. Additionally, she is a speaker and coach for Take It By Force Ministries, Inc. A resident of North Carolina, Felicia is a graduate The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Want to connect with Felicia? You can find her on the following platforms – On Facebook – Move To Your Best U Coaching Solutions; also on Facebook – His Glory Creations Publishing; Instagram @CoachFeliciaLucas

Episode 37 With Carol Cherry

Carol Cherry, a Benefits Consultant in the insurance industry began in 2014 after ending a tenured managerial career in the Hospitality Industry. Once her children were grown, she decided to take a leap of faith and start a new career that had only been a dream for many years. She utilized training, leadership hospitality and communications skills to launch her from a large corporation to establish, plan and execute her own brand and business. She realized that if she could run the corporation's multi-million-dollar restaurant, hire staff, provide training and supervision to make a profit for them then she surely could do the same for her own business. She clearly states that it has not been easy growing her business, but every year is better than the last, and she is pleased with the progress she is making in her business. As an Insurance Broker, Carol has partnered with more than 100 insurance carriers for Healthcare, Medicare, Long Term Care and other ancillary products. Carol works with individuals looking for healthcare coverage. She also works with small employer groups looking to build a competitive benefit package to attract and retain the best talent. Her long-term vision for her company is to become a household name with multiple locations and thousands of employees that are able to replicate the process and help families all over the country understand how to use insurance as the solution it is intended to be. During the interview, Carol focuses on: What is Medicare Part A What is Medicare Part B What is Medicare Part C What is the difference in Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Medicare Supplement? What are some programs that help the low-income community with out-of-pocket costs and medications   Carol gears her Medicare 101 presentation in a way that will brings people up to date on the most recent changes to Medicare so you can make an informed decision about your Medicare options, especially during the Annual Open Enrollment Period -- October 15, 2021 to December 7, 2021. Carol wants to make sure you know: what you need to do if you're turning 65 and plan on leaving your group plan; if you're turning 65 and plan on keeping your group plan. Also, she provides a framework for you to think about whether you need Medicare Part B. Lastly, Carol explains when you should do it, and whether or not you will have a late enrollment penalty. To connect with Carol Cherry, contact her at 815/762-0761 or at her email ccherry.consultant@gmail.com

Episode 36 With Carly Tillotson

In this episode, we took a detour from our regular age 50+ guest to explore what younger women, specifically Millennials are thinking about as it relates to issues of aging. Carly hails from a large family of four brothers and two sisters, along with parents who have always been supportive. She chose the field of Phlebotomy because she was mentored by a Registered Nurse, who saw that she had the makings of a good phlebotomist. Carly shared that the best wisdom that she has received from an older woman was to be sure to "pick your battles". It was shared by an older woman named Miss Gwen who Carly works with. Miss Gwen emphasized that everything is not worth getting riled up about. This wisdom resonated with Carly because as a mother, who must think about the well being of her children, the fallout and repercussions of saying and/or doing the wrong thing could have detrimental effects. Carly has carried that piece of advice with her throughout her life. She also shared the spark within her that has always caused her to take note of older women. "It's what they have been through and their willingness to share their stories with me as a younger woman; they stressed that they wanted me to learn from not only their mistakes, but their successes, as well." The key characteristics that Carly envisions herself incorporating in her life as she ages is continued patience, forgiveness and problem solving. Carly has also been motivated by older women not to wait too long to bring her dreams to fruition; she is currently writing a book entitled "W.O.K.E." (Wayward Opinion Of The Kultural Ethos). She hopes to have it completed by December 2021. In addition to writing a book, Carly is also the co-host of a podcast called Leezeelife on the Anchor Platform. This podcast focuses on issues of the day and pop culture. Carly's words of wisdom to female Millennials is to gather as much knowledge, history and information from older women and be willing to share the importance of the impact they have made and the ways in which they have contributed to your lives. Her words of counsel also include suggesting that older women be willing to share their experience without being preachy and condescending. To connect with Carly, she can be contacted @cvst2001 on Instagram; and Carly Tillotson on Facebook.

Episode 35 With Carol Shaw Burns

Carol Shaw Burns,has over 25 years of experience within the aging services field. In addition to being a newly minted Ph.D in Human Services, Carol is also a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) in the state of Illinois and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.  Carol shares how being raised by Jamaican parents set the tone for how she would approach life and succeed. They ingrained in her that she must always finish what she starts, give it 100% of your attention, and to always shoot for new heights. "Keep Going" was their constant mantra.  As an Administrative Gerontologist, Carol has been exposed to every area of the Long Term Care arena.  Carol is also an active and committed volunteer for The Alzheimer's Association and spends time with support groups, along with helping the organization to meet a variety of other critical volunteer c needs.  She is open and eager to share her many gifts and the knowledge she has garnered in her work. When asked what brings her the most joy in her day to day work on behalf of seniors, Carol readily answers "ensuring that the resources needed for both the senior and the caregiver are shared. Awareness of what services are available can make a huge difference. Caregivers need attention and care, also."  Carol shares what her 10 year journey to attaining her Ph.D in Human Services entailed and how it culminated in her dissertation "Assisted Living Transition: Experiences of Family Members of Older African American Women."  This seminal work explored the perceptions and insights of family member caregivers during the transition of their aging loved one from home to an assisted living facility. Because she still remembers the words of her parents to keep striving, Carol would like her encore experiences to include educating the public, along with physicians and all those connected to the care of elders, about the findings in her dissertation so that the community of elders and caregivers are better served.  She would also like to begin participating in more speaking engagements, along with mentoring and encouraging students to consider establishing careers in gerontology and elder care. Her words of counsel to African American women age 50+ -- never give up on your dreams and really take your self-care seriously.Carol can be reached via her email csburns.cb@gmail.com  Also, she is on LinkedIn as Carol Shaw Burns. 

Episode 34 With Shirley Hogsett

Shirley Hogsett is the Founder and CEO of Destiny Speaks, and she shares a number of gems in this podcast episode.  She has a wealth of experience.  Shirley is the youngest of 10 children born to a butcher and seamstress in Goodman, Mississippi.  It was there that the importance of a tight knit family and a solid extended community was instilled in her.  She and her family were diligent about service to God and to others, and it was through the vehicle of church that this philosophy was practiced.  Additionally, the family would visit other churches in order to be in fellowship and service outside their environs. Her parents had a staunch work ethic and were entrepreneurs before they even understood the word.  In addition to his full time job, Shirley's father was a jack of all trades -- carpentry, repairs, etc.  Her. mother was a very talented seamstress.  These "side hustles" brought  in extra income, but this showed how you could be multi-talented and multi-skilled and make money. Even the words of a mentor still resonate today -- "You are in business to solve a problem." Shirley shares that growing up reading was her greatest joy, and when the family started getting issues of Black Enterprise Magazine this was the highlight of her month.  She was amazed by reading about the phenomenal things that countless Black people were accomplishing in business.  Shirley has held some very interesting positions prior to starting Destiny Speaks. In one of them, she had a career in Professional Events and Meeting Planning, which laid the foundation for the very thing she is doing currently.  One of the responsibilities she had in this role was to identify speakers for these events; one of the things she noticed was that some of the very best speakers were not getting paid. Out of this revelation, Destiny Speaks was born. In working with Destiny Speaks clients, Shirley assists emerging speakers with honing in on their expertise and their passion, which ultimately leads them to targeting the organizations that have audiences that want and need to hear their messages. Additionally, other services are provided -- creation of the client's bio and marketing strategies.  Shirley, who formerly served  as an Empowerment Director and Chicago Chapter Leader for EBW2020, is now serving on the Global level.  In this role she and EBW are charged with empowering women in building sustainable businesses.   INC. Magazine also named EBW one of the Fastest Growing Sustainable Businesses.  Shirley has been highly recognized and honored for her work.  Specifically, she was named Who's Who in Black Chicago; she received the Business Accelerator Step It Up Award; and she has served as a Business Mentor for the 2016 Sage Summit Chicago where there were approximately 20,000 attendees from around the world.  Her words of wisdom for Black women age 50+?  To recognize that you have the years of experience, ingenuity and a God ordained purpose.  Now, you must be sure you value yourself.  Out of this, everything else is born.  Want to connect with Shirley?  She can be reached on via her websites http://destinyspeaks.net/ https://speakerbusinessmastery.com/ ,  LinkedIn as Shirley Hogsett; Instagram: Shirley Hogsett;