Have you ever watched someone younger share advice you’ve known for decades and wondered why you’ve been keeping your knowledge and wisdom to yourself?
I launched my first YouTube cooking channel in my 50s, thinking I would share recipes, my love for cooking, and have fun. With my background in television production and experience as on-camera talent, creating a weekly live cooking show felt like a natural extension of what I already knew.
But what surprised me wasn’t just how much fun I was having producing it. It was what the process taught me along the way.
Running a YouTube channel and creating content across other platforms is a lot like operating a small media company. There’s planning, scripting, set design, editing, marketing, audience building, and the constant act of showing up. With every episode, I wasn’t just teaching people how to cook my recipes. I was also learning to embrace new technology, produce a weekly show, and trust my voice in new ways.
My confidence to create content grew from learning, iterating, staying flexible, and doing the work week after week. Over time, the show revealed something important to me. Content creation isn’t just about the topic. It’s about consistency, connection, and allowing yourself to be seen as you are.
When the pandemic hit, my focus shifted. I began working with women over 50 who wanted a more substantial online presence but felt overwhelmed about where to begin.
These women had decades of real-world experience, stories, insight, and valuable perspective. What held them back wasn’t a lack of ideas. Sometimes it was the technology. Sometimes it was questioning their confidence. Often, it was the pressure to do it the right way. Making everything polished and perfect. They weren’t looking to chase trends or try to go viral. They wanted to be seen for who they are now, while honoring the roles they’ve held in the past.
The content creation landscape has changed dramatically since I started my channel in 2016. Platforms have evolved or disappeared. Tools, apps, and equipment have simplified. AI is reshaping how content is created and distributed. The barrier to entry has never been lower, minimizing or removing many of the traditional gatekeepers in media. Today, you can be your own media company.
Why Encore Creator Belongs Here
You might be wondering why I’m adding this to my An Appetizing Life Substack.
This has always been a space about embracing possibility after 50. Living fully, staying curious, sharing what you’ve learned, and becoming a little more visible in the world. Sometimes that looks like trying something new in your everyday life. And sometimes, it looks like finally starting a podcast or teaching the online workshop you’ve been thinking about for years.
For those who feel that pull, Encore Creator is a natural extension of what An Appetizing Life already represents.
At 62, I’m not winding down my creative output. I’m expanding it. Content creation and consulting have become fulfilling parts of this chapter of my life. They’ve taught me new skills, connected me with incredible people, and opened doors I never expected. In many ways, Encore Creator grew out of that same curiosity and willingness to try the next thing.
What You’ll Find Here
Encore Creator isn’t about becoming an influencer. It’s about becoming more visible on your terms, whether through writing, audio, video, or another medium that fits your life and energy.
In this section, I’m not just teaching from the sidelines. I’m actively creating alongside you, experimenting, adjusting, and learning what works and what doesn’t. I’ll share my experiences and perspective as I go, so you can find your own way forward with more clarity and confidence.
Is there something you’ve been thinking about creating or sharing? I’d love to know about it.