A college student in her 60s shares wisdom when it comes to reinventing oneself

NPR | By Joan Steidl,

Student Podcast Challenge

Published December 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM EST

Joan Steidl, who is now retired, shares her reinvention takeaways. She has a podcast about confronting the generational divide, takes comedy workshops and went back to college.

This is an excerpt from "The Mother of Reinvention" by Joan Steidl at Kent State University. Her story was a finalist in the 2022 NPR College Podcast Challenge.

Joan Steidl

Student Podcast Challenge

SUSTAIN what matters. BUILD what’s next.

With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.