Guest on the Queen2Wavy Show

Interview by Priscilla McElveen on my books, TEDx Talks and more. Some young women submitted thought-provoking questions, which we discuss on the show.

From the show notes:

“Maria Leonard Olsen is a biracial attorney whose parents were forbidden by law to marry in their home state of Maryland in the 1960s. She practices law as a commercial litigator in the Washington, D.C. area, covering a variety of matters, including contract disputes, employment discrimination and government relations. Maria is an author, podcaster, journalist, public speaker and mentor to women in recovery. Her Amazon bestselling book, 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has helped thousands of people thrive in midlife. She also has written books on self-care and the new American family. Her children’s books, Mommy Why’s Your Skin So Brown? and Healing for Hallie, have been widely used as teaching vehicles on diversity and the importance of processing feelings. Her next books will be Before and After the DNA Test: A Practical Guide to Genetic Privacy, Medical Risks and Family Secrets (Bloomsbury 2026) and 60 After 60: Finding Serenity in Your 60s or at Any Age. On her award-winning podcast, “Becoming Your Best Version,” Maria amplifies the voices of inspiring women each week.

Maria graduated from Boston College and the University of Virginia School of Law, served as a political appointee for legislative affairs and policy development in the Clinton Justice Department, fostered newborn babies awaiting adoption, and has been on the boards of Children’s National Medical Center, the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Washington and other nonprofits. While in private practice in one of D.C’s then-largest law firms, Maria was awarded Pro Bono Coordinator of the Year by the D.C. Bar Association and, in 2023, was named Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the Academy of the Holy Cross.

She has written for The Washington Post, AARP, Parents Magazine, Authority Magazine and others, and joined Meer and The Midst as a contributing writer in 2023. Maria has spoken at numerous schools and corporate and nonprofit events, including the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, the Mixed Remixed Festival, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, HerStory Circle and the National March to End Rape Culture. One of her book talks was featured on C-Span’s Book TV show. She spoke at TEDx CUNY on “Turning Life’s Challenges into a Force for Good,” and was featured in CBS Sunday Morning’s 2025 segment on bucket lists. She spoke at TEDx Warrenton in 2025 on “What to Consider Before and After You Take a DNA Test.” She has traveled to 80 countries, and strives to see every country. Her son is a social media influencer with 20 million followers and was voted TikTok’s Sexiest Man by People Magazine. (@Chris on TikTok and @ChrisOlsen on Instagram). Learn more at www.MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow her on social media @FiftyAfter50 and @MariaOlsen49.”

Maria Leonard Olsenqueen2wavy, fiftyafter50, #elevateyourlife, BecomingYourBestVersionPodcastComment