Podcast
Getting Older Podcast
Hosted by Ivory Fennell · EN
Getting Older with Ivory Fennell is a raw and relatable podcast about the awkward, hilarious, and painful realities of growing up. Host Ivory Fennell keeps it real on everything from career missteps and financial struggles to love, friendships, and mental health. Through personal stories and honest conversations, the show explores what it means to grow, heal, and figure life out—one messy step at a time.
15episodes
Episodes
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Solo Trips, Soft Power & Sacred Boundaries: Skye Pasek on Healing, Friendship, and Growth
Oct 1501:34:22Tap to summarizeIn this deeply honest and wide-ranging episode of the Getting Older Podcast, host Ivory sits down with longtime friend and dynamic guest Skye Pasek—a birth doula, parent educator, and full-spectrum creative with a heart that knows no limits. What unfolds is a conversation that blends vulnerability, wit, and wisdom in equal measure.Ivory and Skye first crossed paths over a decade ago at Montclair State, and from dorm elevators to late-night talks about life, their friendship has seen it all. In this episode, they unpack everything from childhood identity and growing pains to what it means to show up for yourself when the world gets heavy.Skye opens up about being a mixed-race Black woman, growing up in a musical, faith-centered household, and how her perspective on race, identity, and belonging has evolved with time. Her reflections on not fitting neatly into one category—and why that’s perfectly okay—hit home for anyone navigating their own self-definition.But the episode goes far beyond identity. Skye shares how she's learned to enforce boundaries, protect her peace, and embrace solo experiences—from karaoke nights alone to a spontaneous solo trip to San Francisco that turned into a turning point.This conversation is a lesson in soft power, self-awareness, and the art of self-rescue. Skye doesn’t just talk about healing—she embodies it. And while her strength is undeniable, she’s refreshingly honest about the cost of always being strong.Topics explored in this episode include:Navigating life as a biracial woman with a Black mother and white fatherChildhood joys, loneliness, and the beauty of growing up in a musical householdThe realities of being an empath and the cost of people-pleasingLetting go of FOMO and learning to enjoy your own companyWhat it means to do the “hard healing” that’s not always Instagram-worthyWhy solo trips can be sacredBalancing ambition with softness, and independence with the desire for partnershipLater in the episode, Skye opens up about her journey to becoming a doula—a role that bridges her passion for service with her roots. In a powerful moment, she shares how her great-great-grandmother was a midwife, and how that ancestral connection helped guide her into this work. Through intimate birth stories, hospital sprints, and high-emotion deliveries, Skye offers a front-row seat to the raw beauty of birth, womanhood, and care work.But the emotional core of the episode arrives with the story of Malachi Archibald, a student Skye worked with as a paraprofessional. Malachi, battling a brain tumor, became her close companion during his senior year. The story of their bond—and his passing—offers a profound reminder of the fragility and beauty of life. It’s tender, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.As the conversation comes full circle, Ivory and Skye reflect on the evolving meaning of friendship, love, ambition, and what it truly means to keep going when life tests your limits. It’s not about having the answers—it’s about choosing to move forward anyway.Whether you’re in your healing era, questioning your life path, or simply craving a meaningful conversation with heart, this episode delivers. Skye’s voice is both a balm and a mirror—offering comfort, truth, and a reminder that you’re not alone.Connect and Engage:Want to keep up with Skye’s journey?Follow her doula and wellness work at Sky Who Serves on Instagram: @skyewhoservesFor her personal updates: @skye.well
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Luis Guzman on Overcoming Ego, Addiction, and Building a Creative Life with Integrity
Oct 201:44:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Getting Older Podcast, host Ivory welcomes Luis Guzmán, the creator and host of I’m an Artist, Not a Salesman. Known for his ability to bridge artistry and entrepreneurship, Luis sits down to share his powerful journey of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. From growing up in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, to chasing his first passion in music, to finding clarity in business and faith, his story is both raw and inspiring. This conversation dives deep into themes of ego, addiction, therapy, creativity, and what it truly means to stay authentic in a world obsessed with image and numbers.Luis opens up about his early years and the influence of his single mother who raised him in the face of poverty and adversity. He describes how music became his first passion, a creative outlet that allowed him to turn pain and insecurity into art. His rap career led him to create independent albums, sell CDs by hand at Jersey Gardens Mall, and even collaborate with Noriega. But despite moments of recognition, he admits how jealousy, comparison, and burnout pushed him away from music. The lessons he learned from those years set the foundation for the creative philosophy he carries today.One of the most striking parts of Luis’s story is his candid reflection on ego. He explains how ego can build walls that block growth, relationships, and true opportunities. For him, learning to “check the ego at the door” became essential, not only in content creation but in life. By asking himself “Who am I?” in moments of self-importance or selfishness, Luis has been able to reset, focus on service, and stay connected to humility.The episode also explores Luis’s battles with addiction and weight. At one point, he weighed over 330 pounds and leaned heavily on food as a coping mechanism, tied to his childhood experiences of being comforted with meals after punishment. Later, weed became another escape, turning from a social pastime into a daily habit that spiraled into dependence. He shares how a pivotal moment with his wife, coupled with watching Bohemian Rhapsody, convinced him to quit smoking in 2018. The withdrawal was painful, but on the other side came growth: marriage, fitness, therapy, and a renewed sense of purpose.Luis doesn’t shy away from discussing mental health. He acknowledges his struggles with body dysmorphia, self-criticism, and the fear of losing everything. Therapy, faith, and discipline—like his rigorous 4 a.m. workouts—help him navigate those challenges. He emphasizes that doing hard things, even when they suck, creates resilience and helps dismantle ego.The discussion highlights the values behind I’m an Artist, Not a Salesman. For Luis, artistry is about integrity, passion, and intention, while salesmanship often carries a negative stereotype of manipulation. He believes it is possible to sell without selling out, to build something sustainable while staying aligned with one’s values. That means saying no to opportunities that compromise authenticity, even if they promise quick money or visibility.By the end, both Ivory and Luis circle back to the same core message: stay true to yourself, embrace the journey, and don’t sell out your integrity for short-term gain. Their dialogue is filled with vulnerability, wisdom, and encouragement for anyone building a creative career, battling personal struggles, or searching for meaning.Engage with Us:We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share what resonated with you, what inspired you, or what challenges you’re currently facing in your own creative or personal journey. Subscribe to Getting Older Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to stay updated on new episodes. Leave a rating and review to help us grow, and join the conversation by commenting on the platforms where you listen. For more inspiring stories and behind-the-scenes content, follow Ivory and the podcast community online and become part of the journey.
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How Keyshawna Johnson Built a Marketing Career by Breaking the Rules—and Trusting Her Own Voice
Sep 1101:00:09Tap to summarizeIn this heartfelt and high-energy episode, host Ivory sits down with longtime friend and powerhouse marketing consultant Keyshawna Johnson for a real conversation about ambition, reinvention, and why she walked away from agency life to build her own consultancy: Scale with Key.From performing arts school to leading marketing departments for some of the top agencies in New York and Miami, Keyshawna has taken a nontraditional path to building a career she loves—one rooted in strategy, creativity, and helping brands scale with intention.But the journey hasn’t been linear.They talk about everything from:Growing up in a Caribbean-American household with a strong focus on education and excellenceNavigating rejection after applying to top conservatories like Juilliard and TischDiscovering a passion for media and marketing through unexpected college coursesHosting her own radio show at Rutgers (Brown Sugar Radio!) and how it shaped her voiceThe hard decision to pivot from a lifelong dream of acting to a strategic career in brandingBuilding confidence as the youngest department head in her agency—and the challenge of gaining respect as a young Black woman in leadershipLiving in Miami, working with high-growth DTC brands, and building a life she loves on her termsBut this episode goes way deeper than the resumé stuff.Keyshawna opens up about the pressure to succeed, the weight of expectations from family and mentors, and the moment she realized that choosing financial stability wasn’t giving up on herself—it was honoring her journey.Key Takeaways:“Discipline from the arts translates into business.” How acting school taught her to listen deeply—a skill she now uses in consulting and leadership.“Your marketing strategy can’t stop at Instagram.” Why most founders are missing massive retention opportunities.“Sometimes the data proves the creativity.” How she combines gut instinct with test-driven growth to deliver results for clients.“Being good at your job is only half the battle. The other half is being seen.” How she carved space in the room—and then built her own table.Keyshawna also shares her viral “STEMI Sale” campaign, which generated nearly half a million dollars in just a few days for a DTC brand—and how that one spontaneous idea reminded her why she’s made for this work.Scale with Key, her consulting brand, was built to help ambitious founders who’ve already found product-market fit and revenue traction—but don’t have the systems to scale sustainably. She walks us through her ideal clients, the gaps she helps brands fill, and the #1 misconception most small businesses have about marketing strategy (spoiler: it’s not all about paid ads).She also talks candidly about the politics of agency life, why she ultimately walked away, and how she’s building a more values-aligned business by choosing projects, people, and partnerships that energize her.You’ll also hear real talk on:Moving to Miami solo and what surprised her most about the cultureBeing an empath and how she manages emotional boundaries in businessOutgrowing people-pleasing and embracing a “tunnel vision” mindset.Want to connect with Keyshawna or work with her?🌐 Website: www.keyshawnaj.com📧 Email: keyshawna@scalewithkey.com📱 Instagram: @scalewithkeyLove this episode? Here’s how you can support the show:Subscribe wherever you’re listeningShare it with someone who needs to hear itLeave a rating or review to help us growFollow us on Instagram @gettingolderpodcast for updates and behind-the-scenesThank you for being here—and remember: be kind to each other, and also to yourself.
Transcribe →You Were Sent Here to Win: A Twin Flame Journey Through Hypnotherapy, Healing, and Spiritual Truth
Aug 2701:51:41Tap to summarizeIn this powerful and emotional episode of Getting Older, host Ivory Fennell sits down with twin flames Keisha and Janine—registered nurses, spiritual healers, and hosts of Truth Be Told Conversations—for a transformative crossover experience centered around truth, trauma, and healing.What begins as a planned business collaboration turns into something much deeper: Ivory’s first quantum healing hypnotherapy session at Uplift Vibrational Wellness Center. The experience cracks open long-buried emotions tied to childhood, identity, and self-worth—and sparks a spiritual breakthrough that he never saw coming.Ivory opens up about the shame and self-hate that followed him for decades—growing up Black and gay in a world that told him he wasn’t enough. Despite success and therapy, he still carried invisible wounds. In this session, he’s confronted with the root of that pain—and with the help of Keisha and Janine, begins the journey of letting it go.Through conversation, the trio explores how trauma embeds in the subconscious, how it impacts our relationships and self-image, and how spiritual healing can unlock peace. Keisha and Janine explain the tools they use in their work—like quantum hypnotherapy, past life regression, energy healing, and Akashic Records—and how they guide people to reconnect with their true selves.The episode also digs into the concept of twin flames. Keisha and Janine share how their own unexpected journey toward each other helped awaken their spiritual gifts and purpose. They talk about leaving behind traditional structures, embracing their calling, and the importance of doing “shadow work” to raise your vibration and live in alignment.Ivory shares excerpts from his hypnotherapy session and talks about what it was like to surrender to something bigger than himself. From emotional releases to divine messages, he emerges from the experience with more clarity, softness, and self-forgiveness than he’s ever known.This episode explores:What quantum healing hypnotherapy actually isThe root causes of self-sabotage and repeating cyclesHow religion and spirituality can coexistWhat it means to raise your vibration and heal karmic woundsTwin flames, spiritual contracts, and why you were sent hereThe importance of self-trust, grace, and forgivenessKeisha and Janine remind us that healing is a process—but it’s also your right. You don’t have to stay in pain. You don’t have to keep playing small. And you’re not alone.Ivory's journey is a mirror for anyone who’s ever struggled to believe they are enough. His vulnerability in this conversation is raw, honest, and a powerful reminder that the road to healing doesn’t start with perfection—it starts with truth.This episode will move you, challenge you, and hopefully inspire you to look inward with compassion. Because growth isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it.Featured Guests:Keisha & Janine – Twin flames, registered nurses, intuitive healers, and hosts of Truth Be Told Conversations. Founders of Uplift Vibrational Wellness Center in New Jersey.Topics Covered:Hypnotherapy and emotional releaseSpiritual awakenings and downloadsInner child and identity traumaTwin flame dynamics and soul growthReligion vs. spiritualityVibration, karma, and soul alignmentConnect with Truth Be Told Conversations:Instagram: @truthbetoldconversationsYouTube: Truth Be Told ConversationsWebsite: upliftvibrationalwellnesscenter.comFollow Getting Older Pod:Instagram: @gettingolderpodYouTube: @GettingOlderPodAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio
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From Pageants to Power Shots: Keiber Diaz on Passion, Pressure & Finding Your Creative Style
Jul 23, 202501:26:12Tap to summarizeIn this powerful and inspiring episode of The Getting Older Podcast, Ivory welcomes his good friend and creative collaborator Keiber Diaz Sosa—a New York-based photographer, videographer, and founder of NYC Live. From shooting Miss Universe queens to building a career that spans high fashion, pageants, and real estate, Keiber opens up about his path as a creative, the setbacks he’s faced, and how he found healing through the lens.Keiber's journey starts with a childhood spent under strict expectations in a traditional Peruvian household. College was non-negotiable, but creativity? Not exactly encouraged. Despite the pressure, Keiber couldn’t shake his love for photography, sparked by a disposable Kodak camera and letters from his older sister, an artist who reminded him to never give up on his creative voice. He couldn’t draw, but he could shoot—and that became his way of telling stories.In this honest conversation, Ivory and Keiber go deep on the hustle of building a creative career. From sneaking into New York Fashion Week after years of rejection to juggling college exams with secret city shoots, Keiber shares the real behind-the-scenes: failed SD cards, lighting disasters, imposter syndrome, and the moments when he almost quit for good. And yet, he always came back.The two reflect on the challenges that come with being artists—especially in a world that constantly compares, critiques, and moves at a breakneck pace. They talk about burnout, the pressure to keep up with new technology, and how easy it is to lose your "why" in the process. But they also celebrate the joy: community, mentorship, reinvention, and the art of rediscovering your passion after losing it.Keiber also breaks down the creative process behind some of his biggest shoots, including a water-and-sand production in his garage that went viral, and a last-minute, high-stakes shoot with Miss Grand Dominican Republic that involved Teslas, red carpets, and a full team of stylists. It’s a masterclass in resourcefulness, leadership, and vision.But perhaps most moving is Keiber's reflection on the power of giving back. He speaks about the photographers and creatives he mentors—especially those who, like him, grew up feeling unseen or unsure—and how being that one person who believes in someone can change everything.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Keiber turned a childhood passion into a full-blown production companyThe highs and lows of his creative journeyThe role of mentorship, friendship, and communityIvory’s parallel experience with photography—and why he’s reigniting his creative flameHow to find your voice in a saturated industryWhy staying humble, teachable, and curious is essential for growthThe balance between creativity and business—and why both matterIf you’ve ever doubted your path, questioned your talent, or felt stuck creatively, this episode is for you. Keiber's story is a reminder that growth isn’t always linear, and sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come right after your biggest doubts.
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