“The only thing I could do in high school was make art,” Sharon Louden shares with us early in our conversation. She remembers that, in her secretarial shorthand classes, she simply could not stay within the lines. As an artist, educator, advocate and editor who “injects creative culture into the cracks of society,” Sharon continues to challenge the lines that constrain generosity and inclusion. She is the first woman Artistic Director of Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution and an accomplished artist, with her work featured in major collections and museums across the country. (Click on the links below to be delighted by a sampling of her paintings, installations and animations.) She is also the lead editor of the series “Living and Sustaining a Creative Life” (Intellect). The upcoming third book in the series, Last Artist Standing, focuses on artists  over 50, mostly women. Listen as Sharon shares how she overcame the familiar dictums of being both “too much” and “not enough” to become powerfully and exuberantly herself.

Michaela Walsh - The Next Adventure

"The one thing I wanted in life was not to be cynical when I get old and, I’ve discovered that by looking at life as an adventure, there’s no way you can be cynical."

Sitting in Michaela Walsh’s New York City apartment and watching her eyes sparkle with mischief and delight every time she talked about the possibility of an adventure was an extraordinary privilege and pleasure for these Two Old Bitches! She has made an indelible mark for women in this world. She founded and led groundbreaking Women’s World Banking (WWB) from 1975 to 1990. WWB continues today, with banks led by and for women in more than 50 countries (and if you want to know more about Women’s World Banking, order Michaela's book.) Today Michaela is an 84-year old who is still pondering her next adventure. Join us to hear this pioneer for women’s economic leadership reflect on her truths, her journey as a risk-taker and disrupter, and her aspirations for what comes next.