Turning Life's Challenges Into a Force for Good

"I drank my way out of a 25 year marriage." Maria explores the value of taking life's challenges and using them to better the future. Maria Leonard Olsen is the mother of two children, a lawyer, journalist and author of several books. She leads writing/empowerment retreats for women, is the podcast host of “Becoming Your Best Version” and is a co-host of the Inside Out radio show on WPFW-fm, 89.3, in Washington, D.C. Maria graduated from Boston College and the University of Virginia School of Law, worked at one of D.C.'s largest law firms, where she served on the Diversity Committee; served in the Clinton Administration's Justice Department; fostered newborn babies awaiting adoption; and has been on the boards of Children's National Medical Center BOV, the Catholic Coalition for Special Education, GirlsUp and the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Washington. Mommy, Why's Your Skin So Brown? is her first children's book. Healing for Hallie is her second children's book. Not the Cleaver Family--The New Normal in Modern American Family, was released in November 2016. Her latest book, 50 After 50--Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has been used as a vehicle to help thousands of people across the country reinvigorate their lives.