Third Act Quest Stories "Live "
Watch VIDEOS from our October 2021 Event
H I G H L I G H T S:
CLICK TO SEE VIDEO RECORDINGS from our 2021 EventLives Well Lived:
Stories of
Resilience, Reinvention & Courageous Leaps of Faith
Stories help us understand and make sense of the world. They have a transformative power and can open our eyes to a different way of looking at life.
Our first evening of storytelling kicks off with a presentation and Q&A with Sky Bergman , filmmaker/professor and award-winning photographer, creator of an exciting film debuting this month on PBS: Lives Well Lived.
For the 2nd part of the evening, a line-up of five "third act" storytellers will share their inspiring personal stories.
You'll engage in Q&A and conversation between each talk.
(Bios of all speakers below)
Living with Purpose:
Stories of
Meaning-Making & Giving Forward
"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” – David Viscott
Throughout history, philosophers and scientists alike tell us that a purpose-driven life is the key to happiness.
Our second evening of storytelling begins with a talk by Kathy Simmons, Global Executive Coach, about ways we can have more meaning in our lives, make a bigger difference in our work, and have an impact in the world.
For the 2nd part of the evening, five "third act" storytellers will share their inspiring personal stories and engage in Q&A conversation with the audience.
(Bios of all speakers below)
Your Life's Story:
Re-Visioning & Reinventing your Narrative
Your life's experiences; the highs and the lows, the disruptions and transitions, shape how you see yourself and the world. They become the stories you tell yourself and define who you are and what you believe.
On our final evening together, three different, inspiring experts: Sally Fox, Margit Novack & Jeanne Demers will guide us to move beyond long-held limiting beliefs to embrace change and possibility in the years ahead.
We'll end the evening with a fascinating "live", interactive workshop experience to begin to craft your "story" going forward.
As Sally, one of our story experts likes to say, "Why settle for the old story, this is your time to soar!"
(Bios of all speakers below)
A special storytelling event…
Third Act Quest Stories "Live"
Last Year's Event Series - October 2021
Stay tuned for updates about our Third Annual storytelling event
2022 Storytelling Event : October 21 & 22
- Free Access via Livestream OR Join us for VIP Access in the Zoom room to interact with Speakers and other attendees.
- VIP Access in the Zoom room for "Live" conversations & Q&A with the speakers. It's like going to Moth or a TED Talk and being invited on-stage to interact with the speakers.
- Break-out sessions with others in the Zoom Room to meet and share your stories.
- Twelve storytellers sharing their inspiring personal "third act" stories of resilience & reinvention
- Expert talks about embracing change and re-visioning your "story"
- VIP guests have access to Event Video recordings in case you can't make it "live"
Night 1: Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 | 6:30 - 8:30pm ET
Lives Well Lived: Stories of Resilience, Reinvention & Courageous Leaps of Faith
Stories help us understand and make sense of the world. They have a transformative power and can open our eyes to a different way of looking at life.
Our first evening of storytelling kicks off with a presentation and Q&A with Sky Bergman, filmmaker/professor and award-winning photographer, creator of an exciting film debuting this month on PBS: Lives Well Lived (click to watch the film!). This powerful film celebrates the wit, wisdom, and life experiences of older adults living full and meaningful lives in their later years. Their stories are about perseverance, the human spirit, and staying positive during great personal and historic challenges.
"The “graying of America” is no longer a futuristic prediction: The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show over 50 years ago and Baby Boomers are turning 70. As Sky was approaching her 50th year, she began a quest to search for other people, who like her grandmother were living life to the limits."
Learn more about Sky and tonight's five "third act" storytellers below.
** After each speaker, you will be invited to engage in conversation and ask questions**
Sky Bergman - Keynote Speaker
Sky Bergman is an accomplished, award-winning photographer. Lives Well Lived is Sky’s directorial debut.
Her fine art work is included in permanent collections at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Brooklyn Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (National Library of France) in Paris. Her book, The Naked & The Nude: Images from the Sculpture Series, includes an introduction by Hèléne Pinet, curator of photography at the Rodin Museum in Paris. She has shot book covers for Random House and Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc., and magazine spreads that appeared in Smithsonian, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Reader’s Digest, and Archaeology Odyssey.
Sky was the former chair of the Art & Design department at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, CA (2007 – 2013) and is currently a Professor of Photography and Video where she has been teaching since 1995.
Links for more info. about Sky
- Lives Well Lived Website - Watch her Film - LinkedIn
Michelle Fishburne - Storyteller #1
Michelle Fishburne’s Third Act is a little head-spinning. She went from being an international corporate attorney to a homeschooling mom to a public relations maven. Her most recent iteration is as a rootless, nomadic author who motorhomed 12,000 miles all over America interviewing hundreds of ordinary people about their lives during the pandemic. This mosaic of the American experience is going to be a book: "Who We Are Now: What We Lost and Found During the COVID-19 Pandemic" (UNC Press 2022).
Her travels have been covered by ABC-TV, AARP, Good Housekeeping, and more. Michelle is now headed off again, in her motorhome, on a coast-to-coast adventure interviewing people whose lives have already been affected by climate change.
Links for more about Michelle
-Who We Are Now website -Instagram -LinkedIn
Susan and Claudio DaNapoli - Storytellers #2
By all accounts, we are both quite average --and perhaps that’s exactly what makes what we are doing so noteworthy. Very very long story short, in 2018 we sold our home and all our belongings to set out on a lifetime of nomading. Simply put, we needed to find our happiness before it was too late. In our new life, Claudio has immersed himself in the world of photography. A conceptual photographer, he uses his art to initiate conversations with the world about some of the challenging social issues across which we have run. Susan is now working with an editor on a book that details the lessons we have learned while living a life of constant travel. Interestingly, Covid has taught us that these travel lessons are beneficial to everyone, whether traveling or not. We are now both Doing What We Love and have never been more content or fulfilled
Links for more info. about Susan & Claudio
-Claudio's Photography -Susan's Blog (and soon book) "Doing What We Love" -Instagram
Jeanne Demers - Storyteller #3
Jeanne began as an actress/writer and channeled her love of the arts into the formation of the NFP, Realize Arts & Education, Inc. The Hero’s Journey story structure became the basis for her work mentoring young people and championing the power of the girl voice in the world. This led to pioneering work in the anti-bullying field by mentoring Emily-Anne Regal, the teenager who created the YouTube channel, WeStopHate. Jeanne and Emily-Anne co-authored and illustrated the book, FLAWD - How to Stop Hating On Yourself, Others and the Things that Make You Who You Are (hailed by Oprah’s Book Club as “one of six self-help books that really helps”).
Knowing EFT-Tapping to be an effective tool for clearing limiting beliefs, Jeanne became certified as an EFT-Tapping practitioner to help young people experience greater self-esteem and self-acceptance. She now uses a combination of Faster EFT and the Hero’s Journey to help people of all ages let go of old, past hurts so they can experience freedom in all areas of their life.
Links for more about Jeanne:
Jack Perez - Storyteller #4
Jack founded Kuel Life in 2017. Through her platform, Perez champions change, redefining modern midlife & beyond for women through curated content and women-driven brands. The Kuel Life Community grows daily. With over 40 Kuel Category Experts and 35 women-driven brands, Kuel Life offers women an opportunity to Share, Learn, Shop, and Play with Our Second Act Sisters!
Jack’s passions include: spending time with her son, performing, traveling to exotic, off-the-beaten-path places such as; Cuba, Jordan, Zambia, Bolivia, and Zanzibar. An endorphin junkie, Jack likes to throw heavy weights around, is an avid jump roper, and a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Links for more about Jack:
-Website -Facebook -Instagram - LinkedIN -Pinterest -Twitter -Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up
Maria Olsen - Storyteller #5
Maria Leonard Olsen is an author/attorney/public speaker/radio host and podcaster. She is the author of a popular adult’s self help book, 50 After 50–Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life as well as a number of children's books. She speaks regularly at companies, retreats and organizations about living your best life, and at schools regarding diversity and the writing process.
As a biracial woman whose parents were forbidden by law to marry in their home state of Maryland in the early 1960s, Maria has a powerful and inspiring story to share. Beyond her books and public speaking, Maria leads writing/empowerment retreats for women, hosts the “Becoming Your Best Version” podcast and is a co-host of the Inside Out radio show on WPFW-fm, 89.3, in Washington, D.C.
Maria's also a regular contributor to AARP's The Ethel online magazine and Thrive Global.
Links for more about Maria:
Night 2: Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 | 6:30 - 8:30pm ET
Living With Purpose: Meaning-Making and Giving Forward
"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” – David Viscott
Throughout history, philosophers and scientists alike tell us that a purpose-driven life is the key to happiness. Our second evening of storytelling begins with a talk by Kathy Simmons, Global Executive Coach, about ways we can have more meaning in our lives, make a bigger difference in our work, and have an impact in the world.
Next, five "third act" storytellers will share their inspiring personal stories and engage in Q&A conversation with the audience.
Learn more about Kathy and the tonight's "Third Act" Storytellers below.
** After each speaker, you will be invited to engage in conversation and ask questions **
Kathy Simmons - Keynote Speaker
Kathy is an Executive Coach, focussing on leadership development and career management for global executives. She works with smart, ambitious professionals who are keen to make a bigger difference in their work, have more meaning in their life, and make an impact in the world. She helps people take a big step forward toward their dreams, with a talent for sensing what the next big thing will be.
In 1995, she co-founded NETSHARE.com, an online networking and job site for executives. Featured in Fortune Magazine as a pioneer site, she launched many of the networking features that were later incorporated into the LinkedIn platform.
Along the way, she's mentored hundreds of talented executives through career and business transitions, leveraging her talent as a “super connector,”
Links for more about Kathy:
Marsha Dixon - Storyteller #1
Marsha Dixon is a person who embraces change and transition. Formerly a national ski racer, coach of junior ski racers, real estate broker/owner, at age 50 she started a completely new venture as she continued to follow the thread of her life's path - to serve for the collective good. As an Employee Benefits broker/consultant. Marsha specializes mostly in non profit companies with 100+ employees including human services agencies, schools, municipalities and hospitals. Her daughter, who was working as as a senior leader Corporate America joined her as a partner 17 years ago. Together they have developed a leading Employee Benefit business and have clients that span New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine with an emphasis on service and understanding her clients' organizational culture. First and foremost a mother and grandmother, Marsha has combined family with business in a most unique way.
Currently Marsha continues her passion to serve as a Select Board member in her hometown of Francestown, New Hampshire.
Estella Pyfrom - Storyteller #2
At the age of 71, after serving for over 50 years as a teacher and guidance counselor, Estella was “not ready to rock on the porch.” Instead, she took her retirement and investment funds and purchased a bus to help bridge the digital divide in her community - and “Estella’s Brilliant Bus” was born. Outfitted with computers equipped with Wi-Fi it serves both youth as well as adults. She’s determined that no one, regardless of race, creed, or economic status, will be left behind.
Estella’s dad made his children believe they could dream big, and work hard to make things happen. He instilled a “no failure” message that inspired them all. ‘My father taught us that if you want something, you have to do it yourself.” Being born black, in the south, into poor a migrant worker family, Estella overcame the odds of segregation as a child with hard work and heart.
Her dedication to bridging the digital divide and her tenacity has caught the attention of many local as well as national individuals, media and organizations. In addition to the awards and honors too many to mention, she was selected as a Top 10 CNN Hero, a telecast hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and seen worldwide. She has also been featured on the NBC Nightly News, in Essence Magazine, JET, Huffington Post and numerous other local and national publications.
Today, Estella’s Brilliant Bus keeps rolling along, fueled by the tireless energy, love and brilliance Estella shares with the world. “If you give the world the best that you have, the best will come back to you.”
Links for more about Estella:
Website Estella's Book
Marge Schiller - Storyteller #3
Marjorie Schiller, Ph.D., has been an Appreciative Inquiry practitioner, consultant, collaborator, speaker, and writer for almost 30 years. Marge’s passion and pragmatism have led her to concentrate on intergenerational learning partnerships in the public and private sectors.
Dr. Schiller is a “professional” Grandmother to Sarah and Max Schiller. She holds an MEd from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Union Graduate School. She has co-authored several books on Appreciative Inquiry including: Appreciative Leaders: In the Eye of the Beholder, and Stan and the Four Fantastic Powers - the first AI book for children, named one of the top 10 books on appreciative inquiry
by Positive Psychology.com
Links for more about Marge:
Rick Terrien - Storyteller #4
Did you know most startups in the U.S. are launched by people 45 and older?
Rick is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs in the second half of life. He's a lifelong entrepreneur and co-founder of the nonprofit Center for Ageless Entrepreneurs (CAE). and author of Ageless Startup: Start a Business at Any Age
Rick has started and run multiple for-profit and nonprofit businesses across diverse industries, with most of the fireworks coming after he turned 45, including: Smallest company ever to be awarded Fast Company magazine’s ‘Fast 50’ (now called ‘The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies’). He was also awarded the U.S. Small Business New Product of the Year, by the National Society of Professional Engineers. He has earned nine U.S. and foreign patents commercialized worldwide. He was also named AARP Purpose Prize Fellow (“Making a difference is ageless”) and is a co-founder of Food21, developing sustainable regional food networks.
Rick builds sustainability into all his business projects. His first business was still running at 40 years. My next business is well over 20 years old. I currently have startups that are 8 years and 3 years old respectively.
Links for more about Rick:
Liz Solar - Storyteller #5 and Event Story Coach
Liz Solar is a voice actor, writer and communications coach who believes in the power of our stories, and a little more conversation. We often hesitate to share our story because of those little gremlins in our heads that tell us we’re imposters, we don’t matter, or we’ll be rejected.'
She works one-to-one with people who want to increase their confidence in public speaking and with business cohorts to elevate their presentation skills. Liz developed and produced the storytelling event Stories I Haven’t Yet Told.
Liz has narrated thousands of projects for commercials, audiobooks, documentary and interactive applications. Her clients include PBS, Aetna Health, Nature Conservancy and USAA. A former broadcaster, she developed and hosts the Embark podcast. Liz contributes to the writers’ blog Acts of Revision.
Links for more about Liz:
Website Podcast Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter
Daniel Kreizberg - Event Story Coach
Daniel Kreizberg is an actor and digital media storyteller. He runs a boutique, independent production studio that performs numerous audio/video capture and master services, including videography, voice over narration, audio/video editing, and more, with broadcast-quality equipment. Recently, he has used these skillsets to assistant edit for Caveh Zahedi’s “The Show About The Show,” for David Barsamian’s “Alternative Radio,” for Andrew Yang’s 2021 mayoral campaign, and for Higher Purpose Production’s Telly award-winning documentary “Women Warriors: The Voices of Change.”
A self-starter, he also writes, directs, produces, and acts in his own audio and video content, including most notably an upcoming animated short. As a classically-trained actor, he has performed at stages all around New York including at Carnegie Hall, and he possesses a deep love for language, story, and the shared vulnerability of a speaker and an audience relating to one another’s humanity
Links for more about Daniel:
Website Video Content LinkedIn
Night 3: Thursday, October 28th, 2021 | 6:30 - 8:30pm ET
Your Life's Story: Re-Visioning & Reinventing your Narrative
Your life's experiences; the highs and the lows, the disruptions and transitions, shape how you see yourself and the world. They become the stories you tell yourself and define who you are and what you believe.
On our final evening together, three different, inspiring experts: Sally Fox, Margit Novack & Jeanne Demers will guide us to move beyond long-held limiting beliefs to embrace change and possibility in the years ahead.
We'll end the evening with a fascinating "live", interactive workshop experience to begin to craft your "story" going forward.
As Sally, one of our story experts likes to say, "Why settle for the old story, this is your time to soar!"
(Bios of all speakers below)
Sally Fox
Tonight's 1st Talk: Express yourself: Shape a more creative story about aging
Sally will talk about how each of us has the power to shape our own stories, including the narratives we tell ourselves about aging. Why settle for the old, outdated concepts when you can step into a story that will give more joy and meaning to your life.
Sally is a writer, storyteller and coach, who helps individuals and organizations create the stories they want to live. She writes for 3rd Act Magazine in Seattle and is finishing a book about finding joy and meaning through creative expression after midlife. She blogs regularly at her website, Engaging Presence. Her podcast, Vital Presence. Includes conversations with fascinating guests who are changing the story of our times. Her background, and Ph.D., is in leadership development, where she consulted for many years and directed the Graduate Management Program for Antioch University’s Seattle campus.
Links for more about Sally:
Margit Novack
Tonight's 2nd Talk: The Story of Your Stuff: Redefining What's Important.
Many of us feel burdened by stuff, both inherited and acquired. Margit shares how it's not decluttering tips we need, but a change in mindset. It's HOW we deal with things, rather than who gets them, that creates our legacy.
Margit (rhymes with target) Novack is an entrepreneur, thought leader and industry founder in Senior Move Management. After decades in the field of aging, she moved away from her life of work and title, to another role --- author, speaker, and champion of a re-visioned picture of aging. Her book, Squint: Re-visioning the Second Half of Life, is transforming how people view their next chapter.
Links for more about Margit:
Book: Squint: Re-visioning the Second Half of Life Website LinkedIN
Jeanne Demers
Tonight's Interactive Workshop: Enhance Your Third Act by Rewriting Your First Acts
Who knew that rewriting old, past hurts into something good would be the key to making your Third Act everything you want it to be? It’s true! It's also true that what happened in your past is over and you can’t do anything about it. But you can do something about how you carry it.
Jeanne will guide us in an exciting process of working with the malleability of memories. You will have a personalized experience in how easy it is to do a rewrite and give your subconscious new, good resources to draw from, so that your Third Act can be filled with the very outcomes you want.
Jeanne began as an actress/writer and channeled her love of the arts into the formation of the NFP, Realize Arts & Education, Inc. The Hero’s Journey story structure became the basis for her work mentoring young people and championing the power of the girl voice in the world. Jeanne co-authored and illustrated a book, FLAWD - How to Stop Hating On Yourself, Others and the Things that Make You Who You Are (hailed by Oprah’s Book Club as “one of six self-help books that really helps”
Jeanne became certified as an EFT-Tapping practitioner to help people of all ages let go of old, past hurts so they can experience freedom in all areas of their life.
Links for more about Jeanne:
Website: Realize What Matters Her Book LinkedIN
Diana Dunbar Place - Event Host, Founder of Third Act Quest
My career includes: a decade in Boston with a leading advertising agency; ten years with America Online (AOL-Time Warner) in the exciting early days of the internet that culminated in a role as senior vice president. I have also started three entirely different entrepreneurial ventures.
Though each of these experiences was fascinating, remarkable and expanded my life and my mind, it is what happened around my business career — the little breadcrumbs that I followed — that have driven me, and were “calling” me all these years.
For a variety of reasons, I never put my personal passions front and center until…in my late fifties, I found myself at powerful transition point. Despite the coinciding emotional challenges surrounding a cancer diagnosis, closing my latest entrepreneurial venture, and becoming an empty nester as my daughter headed to college -- I was filled with deep gratitude, joy and reignited passion for this next phase of my life and Third Act Quest was born in 2019.
Third Act Quest is my way to help reframe the experience and perception of aging through community, coaching, workshops and special events.
My “third act” is the most meaningful, joyful time of my life
Links for more info. about Diana