Episode 219: The Secret to Staying Fearless After 80 with Carolyn Meyer

Aging Disgracefully: How to Stay Bold & Playful

Stepping Into the Unknown: Why Taking Chances Keeps Us Alive

There’s a moment in every life when we stand at the edge of something new, faced with a choice: stay in the comfort of the familiar or take a leap into the unknown. It’s scary. It’s uncomfortable. And yet, it’s exactly where the magic happens.

Think about the last time you did something completely out of your comfort zone. Maybe you traveled solo for the first time, took a new job, or signed up for a class that made you nervous. At first, there was doubt—Can I really do this? But then, something shifted. You realized that the fear didn’t kill you. In fact, it cracked you open in ways you never expected.

Meet Carolyn Meyer: What happens when you step outside your comfort zone—at 80? 

Carolyn Meyer didn’t set out to become a comedian in her 80s. She was already an accomplished writer with over 60 books under her belt. But after losing her third husband, she took a chance on something new—signing up for an improv class. That single decision led to an entirely new chapter of her life.

What started as a fun experiment turned into something much bigger. She discovered her “raunchy side” at a local open mic night, which led her to become a humorist and storyteller. She wrote and performed a one-woman show, Don’t Call Me Young Lady, launched her podcast Aging Disgracefully, and even created a hilariously bold alter ego, Lusty Bangor—who, let’s just say, is not your average 87-year-old.

She also ventured into online dating in her 80s, an experience that became the basis for her story Online Dating After Eighty. That performance for The Moth resonated with sold-out audiences across the country and eventually landed her on their podcast.

Did she know where that one decision would lead? Nope. Did she do it anyway? Absolutely.

Want to Hear More from Carolyn?

Check out Carolyn Meyer’s website to learn more about her comedy, storytelling, and podcast: funnycarolyn.com

Listen to her hilarious Moth Radio Hour story, Online Dating After Eighty, here: Watch on YouTube (Carolyn’s story starts at 17:30).

Enjoy the laughs and inspiration!