A walk-on (临时队员) to the gymnastics team of University of Maryland who earned a full scholarship, Bonnie Bernstein learned more than professional skills during her years of competition. She partially credits her achievements as a sports journalist to life skills she’d learned in the gym: teamwork, patience and comfort with taking risks.

What she didn’t realize until recently was that her experience is far from unique. After coming across a 2018 study by Ernst and Young that found that 94% of female leaders had played sports as kids, Bernstein was inspired to dive deeper into the relationship between women’s sports and professional success. That led to “She Got Game”, her Audible Originals podcast (播客) in which she asks 10 women to share how their experience as athletes informed their careers-whether related to sports or not.

“Yes, of course, you probably enjoy all the physical, emotional and community benefits of playing sports, but it’s equally important to be thinking about the long game, ”says Bernstein. “Even if you’re not a top athlete, you’re still sharpening these critical life skills that are going to prepare you up for success in life.”

On “She Got Game”, guests including former first daughter Chelsea Clinton, Emmy-winning actress Aisha Tyler and Sheila Johnson, the world’s first black female billionaire, describe how the on-your-feet thinking, accountability, passion and leadership skills they developed playing sports helped them succeed in their respective fields. Clinton also recalls how her mom brought orange slices to her soccer team’s games in Arkansas.

Bernstein hopes that the podcast will inspire those who aren’t meant for professional sports-or even college scholarships-to stick with it. “Girls are still exiting sports at higher frequency and earlier age than boys, ”she says. “This podcast provides parents and coaches who are influencing the lives of these girls with a reason why it’s important to stay and play. ”

In spring 2015, after 39 years with Columbia Pictures, I retired and found myself with lots of free time to spare.

I decided to use that time to volunteer. While tutoring with the adult literacy(识字)program at my local library, a flyer (传单)for a neighborhood group called Westchester Villages caught my eye. Its main job is about matching aging neighbors with local volunteers who help them in a number of different ways: Making short visits, being a walking partner, or driving to doctors’ appointments and the like.

I am happy to offer myself as a responsible person and a comfort to someone who is nervous about their appointment and concerned about getting there safely on time. I’m usually available to stay with the person I’m driving during their visit and accompany them back to my car for the ride home. These drives also can be ideal times for relaxing conversation. I’ve had many discussions with them, discovered many common interests, and heard numerous extended stories of past travels and family histories.

I often begin rides by reassuring(使放心)a nervous neighbor by calmly saying, “I know where we’re going, the most direct route, and the best place to park. You’re in good hands with me.” These driving experiences also have afforded me opportunities for reflection and insight. I’ve come to feel united with the neighbors I have come to know, and a keener awareness of the aging process we all share. In living through so much time with them, I realize I’m going through the same stages.

A final irony(讽刺)for this movie lover is that I no longer need to go to a darkened theatre and gaze at a big screen in search of high drama. Whether it’s a World War II-era family story or anxiety about current events or good news from a doctor, I experience all from a decidedly front row seat.