Welcome, Carol. You've been a TTN member since mid-summer. How did you find out about TTN?

Most of the 16 books I’ve written over the past twenty years have been about women in transition. I always felt that there should be more support for smart, successful women dealing with change, challenge and opportunity. Even though I’m in Los Angeles, I travel to New York quite often and began hearing about this vibrant and supportive group on the East Coast. While I knew I couldn’t count on making all the meetings, I wanted to tap into this upbeat energy—and have found the website to be informative and energizing.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background.

In the late 80’s, trying to balance running my own PR agency with raising two young children, I started an organization called “Superwomen’s Anonymous” for women who were tired of trying to have, do and be it all. The group was founded on a platform that we would never meet, and tens of thousands of women signed up. The organization caught the eye of “The New York Times,” and I ended up on Oprah, The Today Show and wrote the first of my 16 books. The titles included “Inner Excellence” and “The Art of Resilience” and my most recent book “The Year I Saved My (downsized) Soul: A Boomer Woman’s Search for Meaning…and a Job,” all on the theme of connecting spirituality to our work/life, especially during times of transition.

In the 90’s, I finally got around to taking the sabbatical I always promised myself, and pursued my doctorate in the History and Critical Theory of Religion at Vanderbilt. I researched how people grow and change over time as well as how information/beliefs get passed on from generation to generation. As a result, I became an expert in intergenerational relations, particularly pertaining to Boomer women. Subsequently, I taught ethics at Pepperdine University and Georgetown University, wrote books, and co-founded the first initiative by a global marketing company dedicated to helping companies market to Boomer women.

Please introduce Vibrant Nation to those of us who don't yet know about it, and tell us about your role.

VibrantNation.com is a website devoted exclusively to smart, successful women over 50. At Vibrant Nation, these women (whom we’ve named “Vibrant Women”) can look for tips, share information, and join in smart conversation about work, style, relationships, wellness, books, and more.

Vibrant Women represent the healthiest, wealthiest, most educated generation of women in history, yet their real strengths and interests are generally ignored in the marketplace. It's a place where they can connect with other women at their lifestage and discuss the issues they are passionate about.

Membership is free and we support one another as we navigate whatever is going on in our busy lives, and looking to connect with others who share their desire to make the most of life every day. We're also helping marketers understand and serve 50+ women and working to get us the respect we deserve.

As a Senior Stategist, I draw upon both my personal and professional knowledge of our generation of women to speak both to and for our vibrant community. I think of myself as a missionary for our demographic, busting the stereotypes and providing a new, exciting and more accurate vision of what it means to be a woman 50+ in our day and age.

Share with us some of the goals you have on your "list", professional and/or personal.

My biggest professional goal is continuing to help grow VibrantNation.com, and to attract more mainstream brands to the site. Cosmetics companies, car companies, and brands who are going after women in general, would be well-served to pay heed to the size, economic clout and influence of the women 50+ market.

Personally, this is an exciting time for our family as my son and his wife just gave birth, making me a first-time grandma! I’m loving it. And did I mention they’re in Brooklyn? I can foretell that a visit, timed to a Transition Network meeting, is in my not-too-distant future.

And finally, share with us something fun about you - an unusual skill, a funny story.

Nobody would guess that I’m a brown belt in karate…but the reflexes are still there from years of training. I can punch and kick up a storm if needed. That said, now I prefer to do t’ai chi, allowing me to multi-task meditation and flexibility.