This week’s episode was inspired by a conversation with a dear friend as we were planning something special to do together, and it led me to some questions…

Is it the longing for what we desire that gives us satisfaction, or in getting it?

Do we lose the art of longing as we get older? If so, do we miss it?

What do you do when your partner is no longer interested in longing to do things, and you are?

Should we hope that we don’t actually get what we desire so that we don’t lose that sense of longing?

I’m longing to share my thoughts with on all of this and I hope you’ll join me and share with others if you think it would resonate.

How many of us lose a part of ourselves over time, either not realizing it, being in denial, or making the choice to allow it to happen because it was seemingly easier to go with the flow, or to appease a spouse or a parent or someone in our lives.

I went to see the Broadway touring show of Funny Girl recently, and so many feelings came to the surface, including the feeling of my younger self rumbling beneath. She was feeling a bit overlooked, and I also saw a part of myself in Fanny Brice; perhaps a part of me that has been ignored at times over the years. It was an emotional day.

Why are so many of us willing to give up our passions, our preferences, our dreams?? And why are we so afraid to ask for what we need and want?

In this episode I share a very personal story in hopes that if you can relate, perhaps it will help you take some kind of action on your path to finding peace in your heart, your mind and soul so that you can live life the way you wish to live it. No matter your age.

Hello Loving Later Life Listeners! For those of you just joining for the first time, you are welcomed with open arms, and I hope you decide to visit on the regular, which is every other Monday!

Before I read you the bio of my most, most, most special guest, I have to tell you that this is the fastest hour you may ever experience. It is good till the last drop so you must hear every last word. And I’m not saying that because my more than special guest is my daughter!

In our conversation we talk about her 3-step creation to having challenging conversations and we role play one about wanting more sex in a relationship. You will learn about her non-monogamous/polyamorous life; what its like, and its challenges. We discuss shame, jealousy, societal ‘shoulds,’ affairs, and a tonnnn more juicy and important topics! Now for her bio:

Rachel Wright, MA, LMFT (she/her) is a distinguished psychotherapist and renowned speaker with expertise in modern relationships, mental health, and sex.

With a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology, Rachel has worked with thousands of clients worldwide, has a podcast, The Wright Conversations - about Sex, Relationships, & Mental Health with over 100K downloads.

She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, PIX 11 (NYC), Women’s Health (online and print), Cosmopolitan (online and print), and NBC News Radio, among others.

And as she says in her bio, when she's not working, you can probably find her in her pajamas, eating gluten-free food and belting out show tunes.

This episode will truly get you thinking.

Press play now. Do it for yourself and all those you care about.

Ideas for these episodes come from a variety of sources and at different times of the day and night. This one came flowing out of me from my personal experience, from a movie I love, and some hard facts. And I share all of it.

The moments in our lives when we meet, connect and share with someone create meaningful relationships that are not only etched in our hearts and minds, they also have a profound effect on our quality of life.

Based on research, the connection we feel for certain people and the relationships we have are crucial to our physical and psychological well-being.

After you listen, I believe you will be motivated to make time to create more meaningful relationships and spend more time (IRL) with those whom you feel safe, seen and supported.

I hope you’ll join me.

Today my guest is Allie Hill. Allie has been featured on national television, she is a Certified Life Coach and speaker, and used her 15+ years’ experience as a journalist to author the book, The Girlfriend’s Guide to Empty Nesting.

At first when Allie first reached out to me, I thought that maybe the subject of navigating the changes in life when becoming an empty nester may not be applicable to you all. And I’m here to tell you that I was wrong!

I recently had a month filled with lots of people from my life coming to celebrate my mom and her artistic partner’s accomplishment of having their musical produced. There was so much love, support, and so many delicious hugs and conversations. And then it ended, and my ‘nest’ felt empty.

We all deal with so many changes in life. The emotions we feel and the skills needed to go through such changes are all very similar.

So without further adieu, let’s get into it!

The past month has been one of a lot of feelings and experiences from one end of the spectrum to the other, some anticipated some not.

From the saddest moments to the most exciting. From feeling disconnected, irrelevant and sad to the point of my face breaking out (which nevvver happens) to feeling embraced by the most loving hugs; both literally and metaphorically.

It seems like it’s the big moments in life that attract most of our attention and anticipation. They are the times that embed themselves as memories in our mental film library.

There’s no question that our huge accomplishments are huge and important. AND, so are the moments in between that fill our hearts and life experience.

This got me thinking more about moments in between (the good ones of course)…an exercise I highly recommend doing.

Remembering past good in between moments also reminds you that you had them, even when perhaps there were other not such good things happening at the same time. And that can be true again.

Many of us are afraid that in later life there are to be fewer of these moments. And I say, if you believe that to be true, it will be. What do you choose to believe?

I hope you'll join me to also hear which moments in between of mine came to mind.

Today I have a very special guest, Terrah Bennett Smith who I heard on another podcast and knew immediately I had to try to have her on Loving Later Life. She is so dynamic, and wise and captivating…and I can’t wait for you to hear our conversation. We bonded immediately and had so much fun. Her desires and her drive overrode her circumstances and her fears, and after listening you will be energized and motivated!

Terrah, a Native New Yorker, has enjoyed a rich and multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, as an award-winning director and actress, as well as a producer, writer, and executive. A few of her behind-thecamera credits include: her directorial debut with the feature film FLIP THE SCRIPT, and has gone on to direct the feature film, THE NEXT GIRL, the pilot SLEEPING WITH STRANGERS, and is currently producing a new series, CANDY RAIN, and the feature film; BROKEN. She is also Executive Producer/Co-Writer and Star of, THE WRIGHT TURN, an 8-episode TV series.

In front of the camera, a few of her TV Recurring/ Guest Star credits include STUCK WITH YOU, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, BOSCH, GAMES PEOPLE PLAY, 9-1-1 and more. Terrah has also performed on Broadway and was a Billboard top 40’s recording artist on RCA records. Terrah served as Executive Director for the C&C TEEN HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL, worked with HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL in their media department, and is currently CCO for INYANI CORP, a global media production company and CEO/Founder of Reclaim Haven a wellness platform for women.

Join us!

Hello and welcome back to the 68th episode of Loving Later Life, and I have to say that you are in for such a very special treat. You’re about to hear a story proving the fact that it is never, ever too late to see your dreams come true.

This is a story of two incredible women in their 80’s…one of whom is my mother. It is a story of friendship, of courage, tenacity, resilience, love, and passion. It is a story that comes full circle spotlighting relationships, perseverance, and timing.

I am so excited to say that due to a change in their schedule while my mom was in town for a presentation they were doing about Sarah at Dominican University, I was able to grab them for 30 minutes for an impromptu recording at a small park sitting at a picnic table.

You all met my mom Elaine Lang Ockner in episode 35 of LLL and if you haven’t listened to it yet, you must check it out after you listen to this episode.

She is is a pianist/composer, and Musical Director. She has composed the music for many musical stage productions and created original music for Bravo’s TV documentaries on the lives of Sarah Brightman, Jackie Chan and Nathan Lane. She was also pianist and Musical Director for Princess Cruises, Royal Viking, and Sitmar Cruise Lines.

My mom met June Richards in 1979. June is a professional actress, theatre director and emeritus professor. June created theatre programs for Dominican University, Contra Costa College, and served as Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at San Diego City College, and has directed more than 100 productions.

Since they met, they’ve been dear friends and artistic partners. Over the years their collaboration created many theatrical projects and wacky adventures behind the scenes.

As single mothers they persisted even as they experienced heartache and sadness with relationships and loss of loved ones; choosing not to be taken down but instead to focus on their creative passion.

One constant thread in the quilt of their creations was a musical they wrote in the 1980’s of the story of Sarah Bernhardt, the renowned French actress who also defied the odds and never gave up.

Fast forward 40+ years later to right now, their musical “The Divine Sarah” has been selected out of over 40 submissions of new works by the Ross Valley Players in Marin County, California to be produced this month, March 2024.

Ironically, 100 years after Sarah’s death, Paris recently had a Sarah Bernhardt exhibition. Vogue magazine had a spread, and Barbra Streisand is a super fan, talking about Sarah in her new book. (And if you’re listening Ms. Barbra, there is a ticket waiting for you at the theatre!)

Loving Later Life listeners, if you want to be moved and inspired, you must listen to these women tell their story. Annnd, be sure to listen all the way through because I got special permission to share with you a one-minute sneak preview of one of the songs played by my mom, the composer, Elaine Lang Ockner.

So now, picture if you will, I’m sitting at a picnic table with these two beautiful and talented women in the warm sun, birds chirping, (the occasional car driving by), and my phone resting on the table to record their incredible story….