Mature Preneurs Talk With Diana Todd-banks

David Stewart says many people around the world share a similar view there’s a growing emerging new generation that has been ignored and forgotten or worse put on the scrap heap. It’s a critically powerful generation and wealthy too, and you guessed it, it’s the over-50s who are without doubt a critically important demographic. David Stewart certainly recognises that as does the host of this program Mature Preneurs Talk. Recognising the differing views in the wider marketplace, David Steward became a founding Partner of a significant group called AGEIST which recognises the over 50’s strong political, social and economic standing which makes them the most powerful generation to have ever lived. Despite brands and some media writing them off, many over 50s are creating a new life, new health with a vitality and passion, which also cannot be ignored. David Stewart at Ageist suggests all aspects of how later life is lived is changing and he is determined to convey positive messages and services. You can learn mo

Why all because of Alicia’s voice. Singing to school children while driving a New York City school bus, driver Alicia “Reygn” Patterson had the children transfixed, under control and in awe of her voice and the words she sang. Pretty soon the children started signing too. But then suddenly all NY City bus drivers were laid off. Terrified for a while, the mother of 5 prayed “Lord if you have a plan for me would you do me a favor and let me in on it?” The next morning she woke up writing children’s songs, but with a twist, in the education genre. She went on to write a musical to showcase the songs and casting it soon realized there was a market for what she was doing. In 2014 she started “Sound Through Music” with a goal to teach science with the aid of music to children. She pinned the hit play “At The Wave” that has played all over NYC including BAM and Off Broadway. Alicia has become a play-write, TV producer and a published author in this genre of media. Introducing the principles of sound then song to chi

Ann Jagger was fortunate with a father who was an entrepreneur so she became a very young observer that saw what could be achieved when passion leads. Swimming in the entrepreneurship world throughout her life, now at 60 previous Ann’s last 10 years seem breathtaking; she started a digital print company, a renovation company, a vacation rental business, and an online retail business. You never know when an opportunity will pop up, says Ann and they did. Opportunities presented themselves; and her “do it or lose it” attitude helped her achieve a lot. Her most recent venture is a good example, it’s a twist on her own publishing company, a launching pad for the children's programs she created inspiring children to share their gifts with the world. Sometimes this energetic entrepreneur fought to stay afloat and other times she peacefully floated along.  The thought of starting another business in her 50’s or beyond was exciting allowing her to enjoy her journey even more, now as a “mature preneur!” Throughout thi

Don Allison Says what awaits us after death is mankind’s greatest unanswered question. Until his 50s Don didn’t pay much attention to death.  But after purchasing a historic house and having continual, intelligent contact with apparent spirits – and having similar encounters at the historic Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Don realized he had a calling to explore life beyond our earthly existence and to share his findings with the world. What awaits us after death is perhaps mankind’s greatest unanswered question, one more pressing as we age.  As it turns out, what follows our life on this earth isn’t a total mystery. The answers – at least some of them – are there if we pay attention. Exploring the paranormal enthralled this award-winning journalist, and he soon learned that paranormal simply means beyond normal explanation. As a long time publisher of history books, at 57, Don semi-retired as a daily newspaper editor to delve into this intriguing topic. His initial book on the topic is “I

Dr Karen Phillip has clients all over the world and as a recognised Counselling Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Parenting and Relationship Expert she frequently appears in all forms of media also around the world.  At a turning point in her life when Karen wanted to change the way she ran her practice, so she could ‘Future Pace Herself’ she knew what she wanted but was unsure how to achieve it, as it involved a whole new foreign world. Wanting to reach and help more people she pondered her dilemma. A turning point occurred when she practiced what she talks about with clients letting her subconscious be her guide – What the Mind Believes – The Body Responds to, and out of that came one of the world’s first virtual hypnotherapy practices. But to achieve taking her sessions online presented many challenges. Persistence and focusing on her goal helped immensely. Now having developed Virtual Hypnotherapy (explore her website by the same name) Sessions online, people from all world are learning how to

Mary Helen Conroy is a Reinvention Life Coach for those in midlife and pre-retirement when many changes occur. Some are not surprising, some are and some you have no idea how to handle.   Having reinvented herself many times, from a career as a public library administrator and building consultant, a sales executive and adjunct professor in the areas of team and change management. She moved to Madison Wisconsin to create a new life, which she did, then later with a Masters in Library Science and Adult Education at 62 she stepped out of her career and said, “what next”. How many people ask themselves: What’s Next? The “what next,” became Mary Helen’s company Life’s a Daring Adventure, but not wanting to stay idle she set up a website for Retiree Rebels then went on to write a book for her over 50’s audience. The ‘Itty Bitty Retirement Book: 15 Essential Tips for the Nearly and Newly Retired ‘ was the result becoming a #1 Amazon Kindle Best Seller. Regardless what she’s working on, Mary Helen’s goal is to remind

Kevin Huhn says many mid-lifers today are finding themselves pushing against the wall never thinking life would ‘turn out like this’. Kevin knows he was there too. With so many things to sort out, having a plan for rediscovering their passion and purpose seemed and seems, a distant goal or one they have never contemplated. There is definitely a ‘greener side’ to midlife just as Mature Preneurs guests show on this Podcast Program they have turned their life around, Kevin did, the host of this program did and you can too. How did Kevin do it, how can you do it, is the big question. Traveling through Canada for a year, he set out to meet mid-lifers connecting the findings with his ten year long research to uncover basic concepts of life. Yes Kevin reached his boyhood dream of success in his pro hockey career but realized that his dream did not end there, he had an even bigger dream. You’ll need to listen to the podcast to learn more about all that. As a result of all his research Kevin launched his company ‘Be Y

Alan Stevens Asks how many people reach 50 only to realise they’ve lived their life to other people’s expectations and needs? Alan realised that on his 50th birthday he had not fulfilled his dreams. That ‘Ah Ah’ moment came when he decided to change his focus to himself, which he quickly says is not being selfish. Sounding like a fictional journey rather than being real, he took a big about turn, one that many people ache to do but are afraid of doing. From motorbikes to free fall sky diving to his spiritual journey into Aboriginal Lore on to studying Massage, Aromatherapy, Sound and Colour Therapies, Alan has had an eternal fascination of why people do what they do. So he set about gaining other new skills to enable him to read a person’s personality, emotions and character all from their non-verbal language. Achieving all that he’s trains teachers in USA Europe and Australia how to use sound and colour therapies with children with ADHD, and to use the same skills to improve teacher’s lives and those of thei

Robert Dickison says running had been an integral part of his adult life and now at 74 it certainly hasn’t stopped him even if it's a run of 100 miles. From working at a mine way out in the desert of northern Australia to returning to the Gold Coast, then getting on a plane bound for New Zealand to run 100 miles, then returning the same way he came, none of that phased him - stopped him. Earlier on in New Zealand, Robert owned running shops, which was the centre of his universe, so when he and his partner moved to Australia his passion for running has continued. So what’s his secret to achieving such a physical goal despite the odds?  It’s mental. It’s your thinking yet many people reaching 50 allow a switch to be turned on that says life is downhill from now on. However for Robert it’s the total opposite. He loves to help others to keep going, keeping at it at your level, but all the while congratulating yourself for doing that. As each day passes doing just a little more within a few weeks, your brain is fi

Too many people are suffering in silence says Cynthia Jones.  Each of us have different struggles but the will to survive is in all of us, although sometimes it is a bit hard to muster up, yet it will emerge, just allow it to. Surviving four open-heart surgeries was the greatest battle of her life. Out of ‘commission’ for many years the second major battle was finding her way back into the ministry and business, which meant basically starting over again.  Often overcoming big challenges can open up new doors because you see things differently. You are refreshed and have a good story to tell, with an unrelenting determination to succeed. This was the case with Cynthia Jones, an author and preacher. Throughout this podcast Cynthia talks about how strong we all are, surprisingly so and by being tenacious you can move forward mentally and physically. In fact you want to say goodbye to being tired and unwell. And you can. No one can do that for you; you need to do it within you or even with the help from your own

Debbie Anderson, is a Clairvoyant Medium who now lives in Canada says ‘You are never too old to follow your dream, never too old to start over – never!’ And if you do feel old it’s in your thinking and you can definitely change that. These are wise words coming from the natural healer, who has worked in the magical world of spirituality for a mighty long time. Often known as the woman who talks to ‘dead people’ Debbie learned early on she had gifts, which at times people thought strange. Overcoming those ‘naysayers’ she felt a deep urge to explore the world of spirituality, as it related to herself, that way she could help others along the way. She has done just that, helping clients around the world have conversations with their now deceased relatives, which is an inherent skill - a gift. But producing a range of products like Oracle Decks was a big challenge for her, but having overcome that challenge these are now sold all over the world.  Along her pathway this natural healer developed a modality called V

Maxwell Ivey Jr asks ‘Who Am I? How Can I Help You?’ Known as The Blind Entrepreneur and or The Blind Blogger, he’s a man who has undergone a major 3 year transformation beginning 2011 from being well over 500 pounds (or 227 kg) on to become mentally and physically healthy - a very healthy blind entrepreneur. Yes Maxwell Ivey is totally blind.  An incredible example of changing your life by changing your thinking he has moved from being morbidly obese, having no confidence and being totally scared of blogging to being more slender, a prolific blogger, coaching and helping others to gain more confidence and to better themselves. Since his transformation The Blind Blogger has managed to take many risks and achieved many of his goals, which begs the obvious question, how does he do it all? His answer is a strong reason why it’s important for all ages to listen to this podcast for his answer.  It’s profound.  His willingness to find solutions instead of making excuses, asking for help and accepting help when offe

Despite her seemingly lack of talent, Luanne Hunt was born with a dream to be a singer.  Growing up, she was ridiculed by her family when they heard her sing around the house, and, when she tried out for her elementary school choir, the director wouldn’t even let her in.  But Luanne knew, music would play a very important role in her life. Her passion was ingrained! Now, decades later Luanne has had the last laugh, as she is a three-time American Song Writing Awards winner.  Throughout this podcast Luanne has many wise words to convey so do listen right to the end. Along with landing on the 2009 Grammy ballot in two categories, her songs have topped numerous Indie country music charts around the world.  In 2015, she was inducted into South Africa’s Independent Superstars Hall of Fame.  No matter what her setbacks Luanne stayed focused. Her greatest achievement is her hit holiday tune, “Christmas Without You,” originally commissioned by the legendary Patsy Cline who loved it, but the label wanted the lyrics ch

Mitch Russo was handed a second chance at life which was a special experience that he will never forget. In his earlier life while in a rock band where drugs became a way of life his over use of drugs nearly killed him. But through the grace of God, he was handed a second chance. He took it, and went on fulfil one of his life missions, which was to create a company that would last forever and serve many. Starting in his garage, that company became Timeslips Corp, which grew to over $10M in sales. He sold that company and went on to create a new company with Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes called Business Breakthroughs International, but sadly Chet passed away.  Not wanting to be affected by the sadness Mitch went on write his #1 Amazon Best Seller; The Invisible Organisation.  Today working from home Mitch’s focus is on his clients helping them to succeed using the tools he’s developed over the years to create various Certification Programs. Now his new accountability system is helping people all over the world,

Maureen Craig McIntosh talks about her transition from early retirement to working for herself and the difficulties and pitfalls along the way. The huge learning curve about entrepreneurship in this stage of her life created some real challenges, which she ultimately overcame. How she did that is interesting listening for any would be entrepreneur.  Her original dream of retiring early was to continue to do what she loved and still loves, which is training and spreading the ideas of Dr. William Glasser, helping people become happier in their lives by improving the quality of their relationships both with themselves and with others. It is 14 years now since she retired to pursue Reality Therapy, which she still does, as her goal is to empower and mentor the generations coming along to encourage them to go after their passions and dreams. You can learn more on her website monctonrealitytherapy where there are three videos and a free e-book Musings by Mo.

Bill Patti, Your Voice Professor, knew early on, that the power of a unique voice on a microphone could deliver.  He grew up listening to AM Radio DJs spinning their mix of cool music and friendly banter.  Bill practiced imitating their techniques and someday he knew he would become a top announcer.   Fast forward to 1996.  Bill is working at his dream job at a powerhouse station.  He fulfilled his dream.  Then, his life changed.  He turned 50 and was terminated.  Management explained they were changing direction. As he found his way, Bill discovered his talent was not limited to Radio.  He began a new career as a college professor where he realized the symbolism of merging these two fields…voice and professor into one business. Your Voice Professor was born! This concept of merging different professions can easily be applied to other skills. Today on his website Your Voice Professor, Bill instructs baby boomer students online worldwide in five carefully planned courses. The goal: To improve a person’s overal

Joie Seldon says growing up in a dysfunctional family was for her and is for anyone a tough, painful environment in which to grow up! Somehow children survive yet scarred but become young adults and then along the way they may find a calling. Joie went on a personal growth quest to release the pain and insecurities she suffered as a young adult. By her mid-forties she achieved what she had longed for. But something else was calling. When Joie was forty-nine a fateful meeting with a spiritual counselor set her on a completely unexpected path as an emotion educator.   The counselor posed a question to Joie, which took her breath away - it would take most people’s breath away.  Many people ignore the unexpected potentially positive happenings in their life, how Joie identified and dealt with this experience is a moving message for everyone. Dedicating the second half of her life to demystifying emotions Joie teaches women and men how to utilize them as a powerful tool for creating success in their career and per

Yvonne Heath became disheartened by society’s reluctance to talk about, plan and prepare for grief and how it causes excessive suffering, not only at the end of life. Grief is experienced throughout life as a result of many different life experiences which is why people need a way to be more comfortable not only reading about it but dealing with it too. Learning to talk about it is also a critical positive step forward. Suffering at an early age Yvonne worked on herself until she felt ‘it’s time for a change,’ and at the age of 50, took a leap of faith, leaving her long time nursing career to start a new trail to help create a culture of change. Asking herself several questions Yvonne thought, ‘ what if we planned our lives instead of just going through the motions’; what if we learned about grief, before grief happens so we could learn how to diffuse the fear? When we learn to talk about and plan for grief, something amazing happens. We live more fully and we suffer less at the end of our lives. Our loved on

Clyde McCulley was the director of a School of Art and Arts Institute and was a Professor of art for several Colleges but after 20 years he left and discovered he had a goal of changing his life perhaps graphically using the written word but in the form of writing and publishing. Having always used painting and photography as his creative outlet personally and professionally, Clyde had the urge to try a new way of creating.  His children had been asking him to write a book about the stories he had told them when they were children. In his late seventies, that is what this creative gentleman decided to do, and is now loving every minute of it beginning with writing about his childhood growing up. ‘The Boy on Shady Grove Road’ was the result.  The last of six kids in a poor family, in a poor community, on a poor farm, with poor soil in the backwoods of Arkansas following World War II in the 1950s in the segregated South his creative endeavours with words flourished.  Clyde is now writing more books and found th

Jennifer Jefferies says one word can change a life, and it did for her.  Preventing Burnout in the Workplace had been the focus for Naturopath and author Jennifer Jefferies for 18 years until one single word changed that.  That one word piqued her curiosity so intensely that at 49 (7 years ago) Jen decided to seriously research the word Crone. During that research Jen says she was horrified to see pictures and descriptions of old haggard, witchy looking women. These images caused such curiosity that Jen began travelling extensively exploring non-western countries where the 50 plus women, were and are the Crone. Succinctly described as the wise women, and most respected people in the village, it’s a view that has been lost in the western world, which is why Jen decided to re-define the Crone. In the western world women over 50 and beyond are not celebrated or respected, rather many become ‘lost souls,’ souls full of wisdom and knowledge that can be and needs to be released.  These women can if they work on 5 k