Barrie Davenport

Co-founder of Webnosis | Certified Life Coach | Bestselling Author Barrie Davenport is the founder of Live Bold and Bloom, a top-ranked personal development website established in 2010. As a certified life coach, bestselling author, and self-improvement course creator, Barrie has inspired millions through her practical advice on relationships, mindfulness, emotional resilience, and confidence. She has authored multiple bestselling books, including two Wall Street Journal bestsellers, and her work has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, MariaShriver.com, and more. Barrie’s passion lies in empowering readers, especially seniors, to thrive with purpose and vitality. On Retirely, Barrie collaborates with her husband, Ron, sharing actionable tips and inspiring content to help those 55+ live their best lives.

Social Security is 90. These Changes Are Needed To Make it to 100

August 18, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Understanding the reforms Social Security needs to remain financially stable and serve future generations effectively.

Social Security represents one of America’s most significant social programs, providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to millions of Americans. The program operates as a pay-as-you-go system where current workers fund current beneficiaries through payroll taxes, with benefits calculated based on lifetime earnings and claiming age.

The program faces long-term financial challenges due to demographic shifts, including longer lifespans and declining birth rates. Without adjustments, the trust fund reserves could be depleted within decades, potentially requiring benefit cuts or tax increases. Understanding potential reforms helps Americans plan for retirement and engage in policy discussions about the program’s future.

11 Japanese Ikigai Secrets: Don’t Let Life Pass You By as You Age

August 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Find your purpose and fulfillment and live joyfully in your golden years. In Japan, there’s a beautiful concept called Ikigai, which means “a reason for being.” It’s about finding that sweet spot where your passions, skills, and values align to create a meaningful, fulfilling life. In retirement, discovering your Ikigai can give you purpose and … Read more

11 Unexpected Ways Retirement Can Break or Make Your Marriage

August 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Be prepared for these life changes to protect your marriage as you age.

Retirement can be the golden years you’ve always dreamed of—or the start of unexpected marital challenges. Whether you’re just entering retirement or have been in it for a while, this life shift can either strengthen your bond or cause cracks to form.

Here are 11 surprising factors in retirement that can either improve your marriage or create challenges you didn’t see coming.

No Woman Should Ever Overlook These Types of Misogyny From a Man

August 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

These warning signs could reveal a hidden hatred for women that’s more dangerous than you realize.

You might assume you’d recognize a misogynist immediately—someone brash, rude, or openly hateful. But in reality, many of the most harmful attitudes toward women are cloaked in charm, humor, or even politeness. Misogyny doesn’t always come with a raised voice or blatant slurs. Often, it’s woven into subtle remarks, offhand jokes, dismissive behaviors, and deeply ingrained assumptions that get normalized over time.

Whether you’re dating someone new or have someone in your life whose behavior is starting to feel off, it’s worth looking a little closer. These signs might seem small at first, but together, they paint a picture of someone who may carry a deep, and often unspoken, resentment toward women. Don’t ignore the red flags—because what starts small can evolve into something far more toxic.

Use These Tactics to Keep Debbie Downers from Stealing Your Happiness

August 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Stop toxic negativity in its tracks before it sinks your spirit and steals your joy.

If you’ve ever felt your mood plummet the moment someone walks into the room, you’re not imagining things. Some people seem to carry a permanent raincloud above their heads—and they’re experts at sharing the storm. Whether it’s constant complaining, relentless doom forecasting, or subtle jabs disguised as concern, being around chronic negativity can wear you down faster than you realize.

But you don’t have to just take it. You can choose how much of their energy you absorb. With a few simple mindset shifts and tactical responses, you can keep your own light from being dimmed.

These Insurance Company Downgrades Could Put Your Mortgage at Risk in Fire and Flood Zones

August 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Learn how changes to your home insurance coverage could affect your mortgage and what steps you can take to protect your property in high-risk areas.

When you live in a fire or flood zone, insurance isn’t just a safety net—it’s often a requirement for keeping your mortgage in good standing. Lenders typically mandate continuous coverage to safeguard their investment, and any downgrade in your policy can trigger serious consequences. A downgrade might mean reduced benefits, new exclusions, or complete non-renewal by your insurer.

Understanding how and why insurance downgrades happen helps you respond quickly and avoid gaps that could violate your loan terms. It also puts you in a better position to evaluate coverage, make property improvements that lower risk, and keep open communication with your lender. In high-risk areas, staying proactive is the best way to protect both your home and your financial stability.

Scientists Discover Cats Get Dementia Just Like Humans—And It Could Help Cure Alzheimer’s

August 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Understanding the parallels between feline and human dementia could lead to better care for pets and valuable insights into Alzheimer’s research.

Cats can experience cognitive decline as they age, developing symptoms similar to dementia in humans. This condition, often called feline cognitive dysfunction, can affect memory, behavior, and daily functioning. The underlying changes in the brain share surprising similarities with those seen in people, making cats a potential model for studying neurodegenerative diseases.

Exploring this connection not only helps pet owners recognize and respond to their cat’s changing needs but also offers researchers clues that may advance understanding of Alzheimer’s. By learning how dementia manifests in cats and what measures can support them, you can provide better care at home while following developments that could shape human treatments in the future.

11 Scientific-Backed Ways to Boost Your Brain Cells and Support Memory

August 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Discover how simple lifestyle changes can enhance brain health and cognitive function.

Your brain has a remarkable ability to change and grow throughout your life, a concept known as neuroplasticity. This includes neurogenesis, the process of creating new brain cells, or neurons. For decades, it was believed that we were born with all the brain cells we would ever have. We now understand that certain parts of the brain can generate new neurons well into adulthood, which is crucial for learning, mood regulation, and forming memories. This capacity for change means our daily habits can directly influence our brain’s structure and function.

Supporting these natural brain-boosting processes is key to maintaining cognitive function and building what experts call a “cognitive reserve.” This reserve is like a mental savings account that helps your brain withstand the challenges of aging and resist cognitive decline. The following strategies are not quick fixes but long-term investments in your brain’s health and resilience. By adopting these habits, you can create an environment where your brain cells can thrive, communicate effectively, and forge the strong connections that underpin a sharp and agile mind for years to come.

These Toxic Boomer Habits Will Make People Avoid You Like Expired Buttermilk

August 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

If you’re over 50 and still doing these 13 things, don’t be surprised when everyone disappears.

People aren’t avoiding you because you’re getting older—they’re avoiding you because certain habits you’ve picked up along the way are driving them crazy. Aging doesn’t have to mean isolation, but if your social circle keeps shrinking and people are suddenly “busy” more than usual, it might be time to pause and reflect. Sometimes the hardest truth is the one we resist looking at—especially when it means changing behavior that’s become second nature.

It’s easy to fall into these traps without realizing it. Over time, we build routines and attitudes that served us once, but now push people away. If you’re feeling left out or disconnected, it might not be the world that’s changing—it might be how you’re showing up in it. Here are 13 things that could be quietly sabotaging your relationships and making people keep their distance.

If You’re an Introvert Over 50, Don’t Ignore These 12 Mental Health Red Flags

August 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Ignore these signs, and you could be risking your happiness and emotional well-being as you age.

You might not see it coming, but aging as an introvert can bring challenges that sneak up on you. What used to feel like healthy solitude can slowly morph into isolation. Your go-to habits for recharging might stop working, and without even realizing it, your emotional landscape starts to shift. It’s not always obvious when something’s wrong, especially when you’re naturally wired to enjoy being alone.

But emotional well-being isn’t just about avoiding people—it’s about staying connected to yourself and maintaining a sense of peace, balance, and purpose. When subtle signs start to appear, it’s easy to shrug them off as just part of getting older. Still, ignoring them can chip away at your happiness and make life feel heavier than it needs to be.

14 Values and Ideals from the Greatest Generation We All Need to Adopt Right Now

August 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Here’s why these timeless principles are exactly what our chaotic world is missing right now.

You’re overlooking powerful life lessons if you haven’t learned from the Greatest Generation. Through service, sacrifice, and a deep sense of unity, they came together in ways we can only imagine today. They lived through war, economic hardship, and cultural shifts, and they did so with a quiet strength that seems almost foreign to us now. Their principles weren’t flashy or attention-seeking. They were rooted in character, consistency, and community—things we often claim to value but rarely practice at the same depth.

Their values shaped a nation, and these 14 timeless ideals are exactly what we need to bring stability, strength, and purpose back into our lives.

13 Crippling Reasons That You’re Stuck Dwelling on the Past

August 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Dwelling on yesterday might be the hidden reason you feel unfulfilled today—break free before it’s too late.

You might not even notice how often your mind drifts back in time—replaying moments, rehashing conversations, or fantasizing about what could’ve been. This habit can feel harmless or even comforting at first. But over time, living in the rearview mirror erodes your ability to experience joy, growth, and peace in the here and now. Life isn’t happening back there. It’s happening right in front of you.

Here are 13 crippling reasons why you’re caught in yesterday—and what you need to do to finally break free.

These Are the Disturbing Reasons for an Existential Crisis as You Age

August 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Discover the hidden triggers behind your deepest fears and how they’re holding you back.

You’re not imagining it—your world feels like it’s unraveling, and you’re left wondering what it all means. As you age, certain questions, doubts, and unexpected fears creep in, fueling that existential crisis you never saw coming. It’s not just a mood or a bad week—it’s something deeper that tugs at your sense of meaning and stability, often catching you off guard and leaving you without the usual tools to make sense of it.

These thoughts aren’t signs that something is wrong with you—they’re signs that you’re in a deeply human phase of reflection. Here are 11 unsettling reasons why you’re feeling lost, and what might be behind this uneasy phase of life.

If You’ve Checked the Box on These Accomplishments, You’re More Successful Than You Know

August 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

You might not realize it, but these 13 milestones prove you’re achieving more than you ever imagined.

You’re probably more successful than you give yourself credit for. Success doesn’t always announce itself with fanfare or bright lights—it often lives in quiet, consistent actions, brave decisions, and subtle shifts that shape your life in profound ways. It’s easy to overlook these moments, especially when you’re constantly comparing yourself to someone else’s highlight reel. But when you take a step back, you might realize you’ve come much further than you ever thought possible.

You don’t need external validation to confirm your worth. If you’ve hit these 13 milestones—even if just a few—you’re already living a life full of courage, intention, and growth.