WISDOM PANEL: Video Shorts

The Real 50 over 50 presents a monthly Wisdom Panel; this month, “Voices Carry” celebrates and amplifies the powerful voices of professional and entrepreneurial women over 50.

Five trailblazing women entrepreneurs, each over 50, bring their brand of expertise to this powerful conversation. In this LIVE event, we will discover what happens when you stand in your voice and when you don’t. Our panelists include:

• Anastasia Lipske: Founder Access Speakers, Speaker, and Podcast Guest Booking Agency
• Mary Catherine Jones: Owner and Executive Producer at The Audiobook Experience at Voice Over Vermont
• Karen Laos: Communication Expert, Confidence Cultivator, Speaker, Author, Podcast Host
• Judi Harrington: Storyteller, Copywriter, Author, Writing Coach
• Shannon Procise: Business Connection Specialist

This powerful discussion featuring accomplished communication professionals explored how women find, use, and sometimes lose their voices throughout life’s journey. The panel examined the personal and professional impact of speaking up, the costs of remaining silent, and the liberation that comes with reclaiming one’s authentic voice.

Key Themes

• Finding and developing one’s authentic voice is often a journey of personal growth
• The significant costs of silence, particularly for women
• How helping others find their voice can be a powerful way to use your own
• The healing power of sharing personal stories
• The importance of safety and trust in using one’s voice effectively
• Mid-life as a time of voice reclamation and renewed self-expression

Speaker Highlights

Karen Laos, Communication Expert & Confidence Cultivator

“I feel like I had been in a prison of my own making, and then when you realize and do the internal work needed, you think ‘my gosh, I can actually be free of this and feel comfortable and confident sharing my voice, even when it has to do with me.'”

Karen shared how her father encouraged her to negotiate at flea markets as a child, instilling confidence in transactional settings, while her traditional upbringing with a more submissive mother created conflict about speaking up regarding her personal worth. Through personal growth work, she learned to overcome these limitations.

Mary Catherine Jones, Owner of The Audiobook Experience

“I found out that my voice is actually best used in helping other people use theirs… It is such a delight to be able to give authors the confidence to give voice to their own works.”

Mary Catherine’s journey began with wanting to be a voice talent herself but evolved into coaching and producing for others. She discovered her true calling was empowering authors to narrate their own works, finding fulfillment in helping others express themselves authentically.

Judi Harrington, Storyteller & Book Coach

“I chose to write my book at a very interesting time of life, my marriage had fallen apart, and I needed a reminder that the 20-plus years I had been with my husband were not a waste of my time. I wrote the book for myself, but putting it out into the world was healing to other people. They could tell their story, too. It’s something worth sharing.“

Judi discussed keeping her stories hidden for years before realizing their value. She wrote her first book during a personal crisis, finding that the act of sharing her voice through writing was not only healing for herself but also inspired others to tell their stories.

Shannon Procise, Business Connection Specialist

“Not only was it healing for me to speak, but it allowed so many other people to really heal a place in them… Having that voice can let somebody else know: ‘Hey, we can go through this together. I got through it; you can get through it.'”

Shannon courageously shared how childhood trauma silenced her for 15 years. When she finally spoke her truth in a trusted circle, she discovered that her voice created space for others to share similar experiences, highlighting how breaking silence creates healing ripple effects.

The Cost of Silence

The panel explored how remaining silent can prevent personal healing, limit professional growth, and deprive the world of valuable perspectives. They discussed how silence often comes from fear, cultural expectations, or past negative experiences when attempting to speak up.

Reclaiming Voice in Midlife

A particularly powerful thread throughout the conversation was how the years beyond 50 can be a renaissance period for women’s voices. After decades spent supporting others and perhaps putting their own expression aside, this stage of life offers an opportunity to rediscover and amplify their authentic voices with newfound confidence and wisdom.

Please mark your calendars and join us for upcoming weekly LIVE interviews every Wednesday at noon ET and our monthly Wisdom Panel.

This panel discussion was part of The Real 50 Over 50’s Wisdom Panel series, hosted by Donna Cravotta.