196. Seasoned Wisdom Live

In this special live episode of the Tend HER Wild Podcast, recorded at the James Theatre with the Water Bearer Collective, four remarkable women share stories and insights gathered across decades of life. Together they reflect on courage, friendship, aging, and the power of crone wisdom—showing how experience deepens our capacity to lead, love, and keep evolving.

Guests
Marcia Akin – Educator and Psychotherapist
Connie Benton Wolfe – Social Entrepreneur and Innovative Leader
Peg Burke – Former University of Iowa professor and former president of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
Lark Birdsong – First women’s basketball coach at the University of Iowa, leader, artist, and lifelong learner

Marcia Akin & Connie Benton Wolfe

Early Years & Self-Discovery
Both Marcia and Connie describe themselves as shy girls who eventually stepped beyond their comfort zones to share their gifts. Marcia reflects on the influence of strong Quaker women and pursuing advanced degrees in education and social work. Connie recalls being excluded from a school play because of her shyness, but credits her grandmother’s encouragement to trust herself and stay open to life’s unfolding path.

Courage
Marcia shares how her colon cancer diagnosis at 49—after losing her father to the same disease—revealed the strength of family and community support. Connie believes courage begins with trusting your gifts and allowing them to be visible, noting that courage grows when women support one another.

Love & Friendship
Both women emphasize the importance of lifelong women’s friendships. Marcia speaks about the grounding power of love and humor, while Connie offers simple wisdom: never abandon your women friends for a partner.

Aging & Wisdom
Marcia reflects that turning 80 has deepened her self-understanding and reminds us that growth never stops. Connie, who spent much of her career working in aging communities, continues to advocate for dignity and meaningful engagement for older adults.

Rapid Reflections

• One truth about life: Marcia – Love relentlessly. | Connie – Start fresh every day.
• Stop worrying about: Marcia – Tomorrow. | Connie – Naysayers.
• Start doing earlier: Marcia – Listen to your body. | Connie – Understand money.
• Word for this season: Marcia – Deepening | Connie – Perplexing
• Still curious about: Marcia – People’s stories | Connie – Younger generations

Peg Burke & Lark Birdsong

Early Years
Peg grew up in rural Kentucky during the Great Depression, walking or riding a mule to school and facing limited opportunities for women. Lark moved frequently during childhood and grew up adventurous and energetic.

Pioneers in Women’s Sports
Peg discovered physical education in college after receiving a small scholarship—an opportunity that shaped her lifelong advocacy for women in athletics.
Lark was recruited by pioneering athletic director Christine Grant to help coach the first women’s basketball team at the University of Iowa, where early teams had no uniforms or locker rooms.

Courage & Justice
Peg shares how witnessing inequality in women’s sports fueled her activism, emphasizing that once you see injustice, you cannot ignore it. Lark describes courage through personal challenges like adopting her daughter from Peru and completing endurance cycling events such as Race Across America.

Friendship & Collective Power
Peg describes women’s friendships as “a fire with three logs—it burns stronger together.” Lifelong collaboration among women leaders helped expand opportunities for future generations.

Rapid Reflections

• One truth about life: Peg – Life is full of surprises. | Lark – Align what you think, say, and do.
• Stop worrying about: Peg – Appearance | Lark – Worry itself
• Start doing earlier: Peg – Be yourself | Lark – Build wealth and friendships
• Word for this season: Peg – Independence | Lark – Scarce
• Still curious about: Peg – Everything | Lark – Glass art and government balance

Key Takeaway
Seasoned Wisdom reminds us that aging is not an ending but a deepening. Through courage, friendship, curiosity, and advocacy, these women show how wisdom grows richer when shared across generations.