Secondwind

In a world that worships “yes,” saying “no” can feel like a confrontation—even when it’s the most self-respecting choice you can make. This week on Second Wind, Joyce Buford breaks down the art and necessity of saying no without guilt, apology, or explanation. Joyce explores why women in particular struggle with boundaries, how people-pleasing becomes a form of self-abandonment, and what really happens when you stop over-functioning in your relationships, your home, and your work. If you’re exhausted from carrying everyone else’s expectations, this episode hands you the language, the mindset, and the permission to start choosing yourself. Listeners will learn: The emotional and neurological impact of constantly saying yes Why growing up as the “responsible one” makes boundaries harder How to recognize manipulative guilt, obligation, and pressure Clear phrases for saying no without over-explaining How to build relationships that respect your limits What happens when you finally stop rescuing everyone e

The holidays have a way of magnifying everything—joy, stress, uncertainty, and all the emotional “weather” we carry into the season. On this week’s episode of Second Wind, Joyce Buford sits down to talk honestly about navigating major life transitions during the holidays, when expectations run high and real life doesn’t always cooperate. Whether you're coping with an empty nest, a career shift, the loss of a loved one, a move, or the quiet shock of starting a new chapter, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets to what actually helps. Joyce blends her signature clarity and compassion with real-world strategies to steady yourself, reclaim your center, and find meaning even when life feels like it’s been turned upside down. She explores: Why big transitions hit harder during the holidays The emotional patterns that show up when routines and relationships change How to honor grief, nostalgia, and uncertainty without getting swallowed by them Practical grounding tools for staying present through t

The holidays can be complicated once life changes — the kids are grown, the marriage has ended, or the people we used to gather with are no longer around the table. What once felt like a season of family chaos and joy can suddenly feel quiet, lonely, or uncertain. In this episode of Second Wind with Joyce Buford, Joyce explores how to rediscover meaning and connection during the holidays after life’s big transitions — whether it’s an empty nest, a divorce, or simply shifting roles. She shares practical and soulful ways to reclaim joy: creating new rituals, redefining family, and finding gratitude in the space that change brings. Joyce is joined by women who have walked this same emotional terrain — learning to navigate the nostalgia, honor what was, and embrace what’s next. Together, they explore how to reframe the holidays as a season of renewal rather than loss. Because the truth is, when the wrapping paper and expectations are gone, what’s left is the opportunity to create a holiday that fits who you ar

The holidays can feel complicated once life shifts — the kids are grown, the house is quieter, and the invitations don’t always come the way they used to. This week on Second Wind with Joyce, Joyce and Sandra Beck open up about navigating the holiday season as single, older adults — and how to make peace with celebrating differently. From deciding what events to attend (and which to skip) to handling the awkward “You should come with us!” invitations, they talk candidly about the freedom and the loneliness that can coexist during this time of year. With humor, honesty, and heart, Joyce and Sandra explore how to rewrite your holiday script — one that honors who you are now, not who you were ten or twenty years ago. Listeners will walk away with practical ways to set boundaries, create new traditions, and find joy in simplicity — whether it’s attending a community concert solo, volunteering instead of hosting, or spending a quiet evening reflecting on what truly matters. Because sometimes, the best gift you

As life shifts and the years roll on, one thing becomes crystal clear — women need women. On Second Wind with Joyce Buford, Joyce dives deep into the incredible power of female friendships in the later seasons of life. These are the bonds that carry us through loss, laughter, reinvention, and renewal — the soul connections that remind us we’re never walking this path alone. Drawing from Julia Cameron’s It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again, Joyce explores how meaningful friendships nourish not only the heart, but the spirit. Through honest conversation and real stories, she reveals how shared experiences — from morning coffee chats to weekend getaways — help women rediscover joy, purpose, and playfulness. As we age, our circles may grow smaller, but they grow stronger, richer, and more intentional. These friendships become lifelines — offering understanding, wisdom, and a safe space to simply be. Joyce reminds us that cultivating connection in this season of life brings deep peace, lasting fellowship, and a lo

Living alone isn’t something to fear — it’s an opportunity to thrive. On Second Wind with Joyce Buford, Joyce shares heartfelt, practical wisdom on how to turn solitude into a season of self-discovery and empowerment. Whether you’ve recently divorced, lost a partner, or simply find yourself in a quieter home, Joyce shows how living alone can be not just peaceful — but profoundly fulfilling. Drawing inspiration from It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again by Julia Cameron, Joyce invites listeners to see solitude as sacred space — a time to reconnect with yourself, nurture creativity, and rediscover what truly brings you joy. She shares simple, life-affirming practices to fill your days with meaning: morning routines that center you, journaling to clarify your dreams, and creating rituals that make your home a haven. Living alone doesn’t have to feel lonely. With Joyce’s guidance, you’ll learn how to celebrate independence, cultivate gratitude, and find confidence in your own company. This is your time to flourish

When life throws you a curve — whether it’s divorce, the loss of a spouse or parent, or an empty nest that suddenly feels too quiet — it can feel like your story has ended. But as Joyce Buford reminds us on Second Wind with Joyce, every ending is simply an invitation to a new beginning. Drawing from Julia Cameron’s inspiring book It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again, Joyce guides listeners through the process of rediscovering purpose, joy, and creativity in the second half of life. Joyce’s compassionate, no-nonsense approach helps women turn pain into possibility. Through conversations, storytelling, and reflective exercises, she explores how journaling, morning pages, and simple moments of self-discovery can reignite the spark within. Whether you’re rebuilding after heartbreak, redefining your identity post-retirement, or reconnecting with your passions after years of caregiving, Joyce offers the roadmap — and the encouragement — to begin again with grace and grit. Your second wind isn’t a restart — it’s a r

In this heartfelt episode of Second Wind with Joyce, host Joyce Buford invites listeners into her own experience of attending a sorority reunion in her 70s. With warmth and honesty, she shares the mix of emotions that come with walking back into a room full of familiar faces—some you haven’t seen in decades, some who remind you of your younger self, and all carrying their own stories of life’s twists and turns. Joyce offers thoughtful tips on how to prepare for reunions, both emotionally and practically: how to embrace nostalgia without getting stuck in it, how to manage comparisons and expectations, and how to focus on connection rather than judgment. She reminds us that reunions can be a time of healing, laughter, and even closure—if you walk in with the right mindset. Whether you’re heading to a high school, college, or sorority reunion—or even a family gathering—this episode will help you approach it with grace, humor, and an open heart. Joyce shows us that at any age, reunions are less about the past a

On this deeply personal episode of Second Wind with Joyce, host Joyce Buford opens her heart about one of the toughest battles she’s faced—cancer. Diagnosed not once, but twice, Joyce takes listeners through her journey of resilience, courage, and healing. She shares candidly about her mastectomy, reconstruction, and the emotional and physical toll that comes with facing cancer head-on. More importantly, Joyce offers her wisdom to women walking the same road: the fear, the decisions, the recovery, and ultimately, the hope that comes from discovering strength you never knew you had. This conversation isn’t just about survival—it’s about learning to live fully and embrace the “second wind” that life offers after hardship. Whether you’re in the middle of your own health challenge or supporting a loved one, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone. With grace, honesty, and encouragement, Joyce Buford shows us that even after a cancer diagnosis, there is life, joy, and renewal waiting on the other side.

When Joyce Buford heard the words “it’s back,” her world stopped. For the second time, she was facing breast cancer in the same breast. The fear was familiar, but so was her determination. On Second Wind with Joyce, she opens her heart about what it means to fight the same battle twice—how she leaned on faith, community, and her own inner strength to navigate the shock, the treatment, and the healing. With raw honesty and hope, Joyce shares the coping strategies that carried her through—from daily practices that kept her grounded, to the mindset shifts that helped her reclaim her power. Her story isn’t just about surviving cancer. It’s about choosing resilience, finding light in the darkest moments, and showing others that a “second wind” is always possible—even when life brings you to your knees.

What happens when the host becomes the guest? On this special episode of SecondWind, we flip the mic around and put Joyce Buford—life coach, speaker, and advocate for women in transition—in the hot seat. For years, Joyce has guided women through seasons of reinvention. This time, she shares her own story of transformation. We ask her the questions she usually asks others: What inspired SecondWind in the first place? How has podcasting changed her own journey as a coach and woman? What keeps women stuck in the second half of life—and how do we unstick ourselves? What advice does she give to women who feel invisible, exhausted, or overlooked? And how does she handle the emotional landmines of loss, betrayal, and starting over? This is more than a conversation—it’s a moment of reflection, celebration, and powerful honesty. If you’ve ever felt like you were too late, too tired, or too lost to begin again… this episode is for you.

In the process of healing it is imperative that you allow yourself time to grieve, but you can not allow yourself to become trapped. Our guest Keisha Blair has experienced grief from losing her husband to a rare illness, and has decided to write a book to create a roadmap for those who are grieving and trying to get back on their feet. She shares how this low point helped her return to her love of writing, be vulnerable, and sort out her feelings.

Losing a loved one to a terminal illness forces you to change in order to adjust to this new version of life. In this episode, Jenny Lisk walks us through the beginning stages of her husband's diagnosis, his death, and life as a widow. She discusses how her life changed with little warning signs, and how she was experiencing so much uncertainty and fear. Jenny was able to use her experience in order to help widows rather than let the grief consume her life.

Aging comes with a lot of questions and uncertainty. What will you make of this next chapter of your life? How will you maintain financial stability? How will you navigate and understand Medicare? Our guest for today’s episode of SecondWind, Kathe Kline, offers a great discussion on Medicare, retirement, aging, and how she helps people during this transition.

It’s easy to forget about practicing self-care when your busy schedule prohibits you from adding much more to your to-do list. On today’s episode of SecondWind, we have Hope Flansburg on to discuss everything relating to self-care from body positivity to work-life balance. She reminds us that making time for ourselves doesn’t have to be such a time consuming task.

We have the ability to make the stories of our lives one that is triumphant and inspiring. Though our guest April Tribe Giauque has faced many adversities at various stages of her life, she still managed to create her happily ever after in her story that continues to be written. She describes the steps she took to free herself and her children from her abusive marriage which included rejecting the victim label and mentality.

At some point we may find ourselves becoming unsatisfied with some aspect of our lives. On today’s episode, Natasha Scripture shares how she felt accomplished in her career, but struggled to find her ideal partner. What started out as a desire to ground herself has turned into a 9 month journey of self expansion far away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. She speaks on her culture’s belief that you need to be married to be complete, and how she learned to feel whole on her own.

Once we learn to let go of certain expectations and appreciate life with all of the highs and lows it has to offer, we will then begin to feel more fulfilled with our own journeys. This week our guest Candy Leigh shares her own experiences with the highs and lows of working in a corporate setting, and how that played a role in her self image. She learned to appreciate the freedom that came with not having to report to someone for work, and used that to truly live a limitless life.

With a new year comes expectations and hopes for a better and happier version of yourself. Unfortunately, many of us find it difficult to follow through with our resolution throughout the year. Today on SecondWind With Joyce, I will be discussing how a vision board could be the solution to making your dream life become more tangible.