Older Women Aging: Singer/Songwriter Machan Taylor on Music, Identity & Turning 70

What does it take to keep growing, reinventing yourself, and finding your voice as you move through life?

In this episode of Older Women & Friends, Jane Leder talks with Machan Taylor, a Japanese American singer, vocal teacher, trained vocalologist, author, and longtime performer whose extraordinary life has taken her from Japan and New Jersey to stages around the world.

Machan shares her story of growing up Japanese American after being born in postwar Japan and moving to the United States as a young child. She describes struggling with identity, belonging, discrimination, and a difficult family environment, and how music became the place where she found her identity and a sense of belonging.

Her professional music career eventually took her around the world, including tours with artists such as Pink Floyd, Pat Benatar, George Benson, Foreigner, Sting, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. But behind the success, Machan says she struggled with insecurity, imposter syndrome, and questions about whether she truly belonged.

The conversation also explores reinvention and personal growth after 50. In her 50s, Machan returned to school, earned both a bachelor's and master's degree, and expanded her work as a voice teacher and vocalologist. She reflects on why she was a better student later in life and why curiosity and lifelong learning remain important to her.

As she approaches 70, Machan talks openly about struggling with turning 60, the transformation and self-discovery of her 60s, therapy, healing from past experiences, and feeling more comfortable in her own skin.

She also discusses her book, Naked Out Loud, and its message about telling the truth about who you are, seeking help when needed, and letting go of shame so you can continue growing and evolving.

For older women, women over 50, and anyone interested in aging well, reinvention, personal growth, purpose, creativity, and finding fulfillment later in life, this is an honest and inspiring story of continuing to evolve.

https://www.facebook.com/machantaylor/

https://www.machantaylor.com/

https://www.machantaylor.com/bio

https://www.machantaylor.com/songs

https://www.youtube.com/@MachanTaylorOfficial