Episode 39: Renaissance Woman with Michelle Oram

Posted on by Wynne Leon

In this episode of the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast where we bring you talented creatives who inspire you to reach your next level of personal growth, I’m with my co-host, Dr. Vicki Atkinson, and blogger, and musician Michelle Oram.

Finding out how people came to blogging is so fascinating. So we dig into what brought Michelle to blogging four years ago. But more interesting than that – is why people stay. Michelle tells us how her mission of sustainability has evolved over time.

Michelle’s professional life focuses on retirement so it’s fitting that the book that she plans on writing when she retires is on that topic. But she tells us that it’s not usual topics of identity and purpose that she plans on tackling but instead on the systems of retirement and how to navigate them.

We know it’ll be a great book and that she will do it. Because anyone that reads Michelle’s blog knows she has a great track record of working towards goals. She manifests accountability on her blog and monthly round-up. In this episode, she tells us how that works for her. And then we dig into her current focus – her 60 before 60 goals. Guess what? Podcasting is one of them so Vicki and I find out if being on our podcast counts.

Music is another theme that is interwoven into Michelle’s life. She tells us the story about how she came to sing for a band that performs regularly and the fun and zest that brings into her life.

Determined. Driven. Interesting. Fun. Michelle shows us how those four traits come together with creativity to build a full life.

This is a great episode featuring a writer that we know and love. It’s so much fun to see what goes into this Renaissance Woman.   We know you’ll love it!

Episode 66: The Power of Story with Wynne and Vicki – Sharing the Heart of the Matter

In this episode, Wynne Leon is with co-host, blogger and author, Vicki Atkinson. We are changing our format starting with this episode. Vicki and Wynne are big believers in the power of story – to connect us, to create intergenerational healing, and to make meaning out of the events of our lives. To set the stage, we will be starting with someone telling a story in each episode. In this case, Wynne tells a story about what happened when she and her kids recently rescued a bunny. We got to see and learn a little bit about the nature of life, death, and our part in the circle of life. Please forgive me for talking too fast as I tell the story. It’s part of my learning process to transition between interviewer to being in the spotlight. My nerves pushed me to rush so I need to practice slowing down. In this episode that is about 15 minutes long, after I tell the story, we talk a little bit about the elements of a good story. Drawing from the research of Will Storr and his Ted Talk, we highlight some of the features that come to play in most of our stories, whether they be personal narrative, fiction, or something in between. Vicki brilliantly likens our new route starting with this episode, Route 66. Please join us for the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story. Links for this episode: Episode 66 show notes Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
  1. Episode 66: The Power of Story with Wynne and Vicki
  2. Episode 65: How to Be the New Guy with Mark Petruska
  3. Episode 64: Knowing a Person with Vicki and Wynne
  4. Episode 63: Keys to Collaborative Success with Vicki and Wynne
  5. Episode 62: The Loop Files with Rick Kaempfer

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen on Anchor Episode 39: Renaissance Woman with Michelle Oram

Links for this Episode:

Listen on Anchor Episode 39: Renaissance Woman with Michelle Oram

Michelle’s blog: Boomer Eco Crusader

Molly from Transatlantic Notes article A Greener World: Debunking Myths about Climate Change

If you want to be on the podcast, or have additional guests to suggest, please email us at sharingtheheartofthematter@gmail.com

22 thoughts on “Episode 39: Renaissance Woman with Michelle Oram”

  4. Michelle, your views on retirement were interesting. Yes, many of us are living longer. But many of us are dropping dead right before or right after retiring (that would stink!). A song sung by you would have been a stress relieving treat, especially since you’d be relieving your own stress as well! Good luck, Michelle! Thank you, Wynne and Vicki, for the interesting podcast. 🙂

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    2. That’s true Nancy. We’ve all heard sad stories about, or known, people who died right before or after retirement. Statistically speaking, though, if you’re alive at 65, there’s a very good chance you’ll live another 25 years or more. And there’s a growing body of knowledge that the loss of purpose and social connection from our work can actually shorten our lives if we don’t find a way to replace it. I’m definitely not suggesting we work until we drop, but I think there’s a place for encore careers and part-time work for people who want it. Thanks for listening. Maybe next time I’ll sing a song. 😉

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  8. Totally on board with Michelle’s philosophy on retirement. Having a life with purpose is what gets our juices flowing. The way seniors are treated in our society is abominable. Every person has value and should be treated for respect.

    As a goal setter, I like the 60 for 60 challenge. Best of luck to Michelle in achieving her goals.

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