Chatting with Barbara Newman gave me a new way to look at caregiving, self-care, and the impact of storytelling. Barbara’s path—from working on Madison Avenue to exploring the bold spirit of American cowgirls—shows her belief in what she calls “radical self-care” and the power of community. For her, storytelling isn’t just about telling a tale; it’s a way to heal, share wisdom, and connect people across generations. Whether she’s helping Gen Z find their voices or guiding boomers to tell their life stories, Barbara shows us that giving back doesn’t require us to be heroes. Her advice? Focus on the little things, and above all, be kind.

About Our Guest:

Barbara Newman’s storytelling career began on Madison Avenue, where she was a Creative Director on iconic global brands. Her life changed after hearing a story on NPR about the American cowgirl. She was so inspired by their strong, persevering spirit, that she traded high heels for cowboy boots and headed to Montana to film a documentary about their lives. While out west, she fell in love with the wild landscape, and how it transformed her relationship with the natural world. So began her next chapter as an author. Her award-winning young-adult novel, The Dreamcatcher Codes is her love letter to Mother Earth and all her daughters. She is currently working on her second book.

Barbara is on the Boards of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, the Berkshire International Film Festival, and EmPower Gen Z. She was also part of the think tank for the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media.

www.barbaranewmanauthor.com

www.cowgirlsrforever.com

Instagram: coco_newms

https://empowergenz.org

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

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