Susan Cantrell

Susan Cantrell has interviewed several thousand people throughout her three-decade, award-winning journalistic career writing interviews, feature stories, columns (from humor to travel) and poetry for local, national and international magazines and newspapers. Living in Carmel, California, she has had the opportunity to interview many celebrities, including Clint Eastwood, Betty White, Lauren Bacall, Kevin Costner, Jay Leno, Joan Fontaine, Olympia Dukakis, Suzanne Somers, Doris Day, Ted Turner, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Brooke Shields, John Denver, the Smothers Brothers, Ted Danson and many more. 

Her book, StarWords: Inspirational Conversations with Extraordinary Monterey Peninsulans, is described in its forward by Clint Eastwood as “a refreshing look at those who have dared to do something different with their lives.” It includes interviews with 62 legends of our time, most of whom are still thriving into their senior years in nine fields of endeavor, from acting (Eastwood) and politics (Leon Panetta), to writing (Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley), ocean exploration and sports (Reggie Jackson). All these people have contributed greatly to society by pursuing their life dreams through hardships and adversity. Oh, and they happen to live or have lived in Carmel, Pebble Beach and Monterey Bay.

Currently Cantrell is teaching a seniors’ writing class, “I’m Too Young to Be This Old ™,” and is working on a book of that title.