40 Days of Gratitude: 2025

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how it began...

In 2020, I was having a particularly tough time.

Rather than focusing on the negative, I started listing the people and things I was most grateful for.

Then, I shared them on social media.

The tradition continues!

Counting down from 40 to 1....

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Day 40

ELLE We met about 6 years ago when I was consulting to a SaaS company that didn’t have a designer. I embarked on a search for someone who had big brand experience.

I found her via a social media marketing group and the rest is history! Human designers still play a role in the AI era!

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Day 39

Kyle decker With more than 50 episodes under my belt, my Age Blind podcast is cooking!

Kyle (my producer) has consistently given me fantastic behind-the-scenes support!

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Day 38

TONYA MACK One of my AZ besties (with East Coast roots and an Air Force background), Tonya is always an amazing source of wisdom, pragmatism & laughs...not to mention amazing skin care! :)

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Day 37

CANVA This fantastic woman-co-founded, AI-powered company has made the list multiple years.

It’s now finally possible for me to bring what’s in my head (including this list) onto the screen in mere seconds!

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Day 36

NICK Dan-Bergman We have proven that intergenerational collaboration is possible and that work can be fun!

As the CMO of the LT agency, Nick always brings a fresh perspective to data and business! Thanks for being such an amazing client and copresenter in 2025!

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Day 35

MISSY I downsized and moved this year and Missy (of No Mess With Missy) removed 50% of my earthly possessions and lots of stress.

Couldn’t have done it without you and your team!

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Day34

CASEY CHESTER Sound engineer by day and lay therapist whenever I call him for a dude’s perspective on work and life.

He always delivers tough love and candor.

Some friends are timeless! (He’s also the intro voice on my podcast!)

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Day 33

janine vanderbUrg When I get frustrated with ageism, the state of the world today, and LinkedIn BS, Janine always boosts my mood.

The world needs more advocates like her!

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Day 32

BESTITCHED Really? I needlepoint?

Hell yeah! And this place (owned by a mother/daughter duo) has given me a great environment to meet other crafters while we “sip and stitch.” They even offer virtual clases!

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Day 31

mandy Don’t take GLP-1 drugs (like Zepbound) without a Mandy in your life!

In addition to medical supervision, people like my nutrition coach make sure you’re losing fat and not muscle .

She helps me make the best food choices and deal with unhealthy habits and cravings. I’m almost down to my healthiest body ever!

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Day 30

shelley franklin Five years ago, I did my first shoot with Shelly for her first 50 Over 50 exhibit.

She just shot me again and proved that high-quality photography talent is truly timeless!

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Day 29

Helaine Long-time friend and confidante, awesome podcast guest (spilling the tea on celebrity divorces), and all-around mensch, she has seen me through good times and bad and never holds back on dispensing tough love! xoxo

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Day 28

uke All interns are not created equal!

I met Uke through YPIE and am so impressed by how far he’s come!

He’s destined for a great career. (He graduates this spring and any company would be lucky to hire him!)

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Day 27

sos & JESSICA Running a non-profit together for 5+ years led to a close bond.

She proves that profit and philanthropy can go hand-in-hand.

And together, we continue to champion collaborative women!

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Day 26

REX ANDERSON An attorney turned AI sherpa, Rex has been invaluable in helping me navigate new apps, create my replicant (Bess), and give me a whole new range of perspectives on AIpowered community creation. We still need humans like Rex in the AI world!

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Day 25

Dave Hirschman

Don’t let the serious pose fool you!

Dave is witty and very wise.

I’ve known him for over a decade, and we love to geek out on the events industry, the current state of content, technology, and life in general.

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Day 24

Jim McGrew Why play pickleball & golf when you can spin, dip, travel, and paint?

Jim is a great role model for men 60+ who “reinvent” themselves later in life. He also gives me great male perspectives on dating!

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Day 23

bones Can I be grateful for a coffee brand?

You bet!

Great flavors, clever packaging, and fun marketing! (Honored to be an affiliate so I can spread the caffeine and vibe!)

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Day 22

Mischief makeup Sherry makes sure I always put my best face forward at events and on camera.

Versatile, flexible, and fun, she makes sure I look like me rather than a circus clown or that chick from “Sunset Boulevard”

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Day 21

GROUND UP Imagine a nut butter brand that is all-natural AND has the tagline, “Uplifting Women.”

I’m a huge fan of brands that give back AND are high-quality.

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Day 20

AA Flight crew According to their website, the process for selecting flight crew is more selective than Ivy League admissions.

And it shows!

I travel a lot, and this hard-working team always makes me feel safe and welcome aboard! (And the airline is truly Age Blind. Read about Betty here.)

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Day 19

the brunch club Once a month, an eclectic group of women converges to talk about work and life.

Always new faces and perspectives! I’m slowly building a community of friends in AZ.

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Day 18

EXPERIENCE SCOTTSDALE This membership organization offers a fantastic opportunity to learn about and contribute to the tourism and hospitality industry, which is at the heart of my “home base.”

Their events are always well done, data-packed, and inclusive! When will you be visiting me in AZ?

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Day 17

THE EAST END A part of my childhood, this area of the country is magical! My family and I still gather here to make new memories.

It will always be my place of peace.

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Day 16

Sofia Starting as an apprentice, she earned a promotion to Marketing Associate in less than 90 days!

Working as a truly intergenerational team, we doubled our awareness and grew engagement by 20%.

Need branding, thought leadership, marketing planning, AI-powered and strategic social media or content writing? We're your women!

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Day 15

my new home Only 6% of people my age make a move.

Although mine was only about 10 minutes away, I was ready for a new environment, new bed, new TV, and new frame of mind. The zip code adjustment changed my life in many ways! (And I even have a Whole Foods downstairs!)

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Day 14

elisa lane We bonded over bunco, the brunch club, our passion for podcasting, and random events like this “white party.”

A jolt of NY energy and kindness in the desert! Love you, girl!

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Day 13

MEGAN (aka Mimi foxx) Musician, hair stylist, and fellow East Coaster, she knows how to keep it real.

No Temu here! Just high quality, high vibes, and lots of laughs and support! xoxo

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Day 12

BROOKE Three generations apart and with radically different views on social media and politics, we share a love of reality TV, true crime, and fashion.

Look for the common ground in ALL relationships!

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Day 11

this book

Whenever I need to have a tough conversation with someone, I refer back to this terrific guide.

The companion volume, “Crucial Accountability” is also superuseful (and I’m usually not a selfhelp book kinda chick!) Stay tuned for what else I read. (Gratitude #7)

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Day 10

MY PODCAST GUESTS With 60+ episodes recorded so far, Age Blind is now only 20 minutes and always packed with fun and smart perspectives about Sex, Life, and Tech across generations.

Dawn is one of our “All-Stars.” Our 2026 line-up promises to be epic!

Want to be a guest? Hit me up!

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Day 9

divvyup I met this company at a trade show, and they sent me this customized pair of socks. Now I can be branded from head to toes!

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Day 8

SUBSTACK Technology is only great when it results in sharing, learning, and inspiring.

This platform enables me to do just that! Please subscribe to my weekly musings!

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Day 7

GOODREADS The old fashioned library is alive and well and Barnes & Noble has made a comeback.

I still love to binge watch but nothing tops binge reading!

Follow me here.

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Day 6

korbin christie As a result of a random meeting in the hallways of a co-working space, this oh-so-talented video pro and filmmaker has become a part of my content inner circle.

His high-quality referral network is AMAZING!

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Day 5

MUSIC The English Beat, The Kinks, Warren Zevon, Benson Boone, Broadway musicals, and even oldschool crooners are just a few of my listening passions.

A great tune can flip even the worst of moods!

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Day 4

BEULAH & Bess Beulah is the pet name I’ve given to my AI agents. (It’s a wink to Mae West and her famous movie line.)

You can see my AI “replicant” Bess in action here.

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Day 3

screens The big screen, the small screen, and (most importantly) the storytellers who create entertaining and evocative content for them.

This year, I got to know Jamie of Binge or Cringe, and she has become my wingwoman for recommendations!

Grateful for all of it!

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Day 2

Mentors & sherpas My English and Art teachers, former bosses and colleagues, and other people who have guided and supported me throughout my life have helped me arrive at this amazing point in my life and work!

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Day 1

FAMILY & FRIENDS 2025 marked the birth of my fourth grandchild. And my older brother Andy (at left) and I are establishing new family traditions.

My family is relatively small, but my daughters, their kids, my niece and nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends are still where my heart is...always.

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THE END? Hardly! This is just the beginning!

If you weren’t on the list, but touched my life & work in some way this year, I’m still grateful!

I’m just getting started...

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THANK YOU ALL! See you in 2026!