The Courage to Begin Again CONDENSED

Bill is podcasting from Rhinebeck, New York — apparently the Love Capital — where he spent Valentine’s Day… at his mom’s house. They went people-watching at the Beekman Arms, the oldest inn in America, tucked in the back like a colonial speakeasy. Marge had one drink. Bill had two glasses of wine. Because balance. Marge claimed she “wasn’t sure what we’d talk about,” which is hilarious considering she:

• Rebuilt a house from literal ashes
• Rebuilt her life after 38 years of marriage
• Raised three kids
• Ran a department
• And at 79 is still teaching — including a class on listening at Bard College

Yeah. Nothing to discuss there. So they start with listening. Hearing is physical. Listening is emotional and intellectual. Real listening says, “You’re safe here.” When kids don’t feel heard, they get loud. When marriages stop listening, they crumble. When politicians stop listening… well… have you seen the news?

Marge’s rule? Whole-body listening. Eyes. Presence. Calm. No fixing. Just receiving.

Then they drift into family lore — like Bill’s grandfather sprinting down the hallway every night in patterned boxer shorts, yelling for Granny Ag to confirm the bathroom was clear before launching into a full Olympic dash. Romance, 1940s style. 

Then the fire. February. The house Bill’s dad built — gone. Standing at the bottom of the driveway watching it burn, Marge had one thought: everything else is replaceable. The photos and antiques hurt. The rest? Just stuff.

She thought maybe the fire would bring the marriage back. It didn’t. But they rebuilt the house — designed it from scratch, made it beautiful. When the marriage finally ended, she realized being alone was easier than staying in what it had become. She’d stayed for years thinking she wasn’t strong enough to leave.

Turns out? She was.

Starting over in her 60s surprised her. Dating was… fun. Different men, different energies. And now? She knows exactly what she’d be giving up — independence, freedom — and she’s not handing that over lightly.

Marge is no shrinking violet. She’s been to Milan. She’s learning tech. Designing new courses. The only thing she’s still working on? Confidence in the unfamiliar — the places she hasn’t tested herself yet.

She’s also a master-level Reiki practitioner. The body can heal itself. Reiki just clears the path. Presence heals. Gratitude heals. And setting your intention before the day sets it for you? That’s power.

What do people get wrong about aging?

They worry too much about where they’re going instead of being where they are. And they treat older people like they’re fading — instead of sitting down and asking what they know.

 At 79, she’s still teaching. Still learning. Still showing up.

Starting over doesn’t expire.

You just have to believe in yourself enough to try.

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