The Zestful Aging Podcast is all about our metamorphosis as we age. How can we best navigate aging--with its challenges, changes and joys? What makes life deeply satisfying and meaningful in older age? And how can we live so we’re not left with regrets when it’s all over? I interview inspiring guests about how they are creating their best lives ever.
I also take the mic to talk about proven habits that increase health and longevity, and other issues relevant to aging well.
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially run what was then the all-male Boston Marathon, infuriating one of the event's directors who attempted to violently eject her. In one of the most iconic sports moments, Switzer escaped and finished the race. Still a college student at Syracuse University, she returned to class the next day as the photo of her at the Marathon circulated all over the world. Switzer is the founder of 261 Fearless, a foundation dedicated to creating opportunities for women on all fronts, as this groundbreaking sports hero has done throughout her life. Find out more at 261Fearless.org and MarathonWoman.com.
Gillian Walnes Perry has dedicated her life to teaching peace and tolerance throughout the world. She is the Co-founder and Honorary Vice President of the Anne Frank Trust UK, which she set up in 1990 with family and friends of Mr Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father. After her retirement she wrote The Legacy of Anne Frank. Find out more here: AnneFrank.com, The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect and read her book: The Legacy of Anne Frank.
What makes us truly happy throughout our lives? John Leland, columnist at The New York Times, wrote a yearlong series that became the basis for his new book: Happiness Is a Choice You Make; lessons from a year among the oldest old. The book is a NYT Book Review Editor’s Choice, and Jane Brody called it “inspired and inspiring.” Find out more at JohnLelandauthor.com.
Stacy Feintuch was a stay at home mom with two young daughters in 2011 when her husband suddenly died from a heart attack. After a few very difficult years, she started the blog The Widow Wears Pink which helped her reach other widows and help them through their losses and recovery. Last year she started a website Living the Second Act with her partner Mimi Golub, which is geared towards women in their 40s and 50s who are moving towards their next chapter. Find out more at TheWidowWearsPink.com and https://livingthesecondact.com/.
Liz Scott is a psychologist and the author of a fascinating and unusual memoir entitled, This Never Happened. The book describes her life with two very unhappy and difficult parents who held many secrets; Liz grew up living an Anglo-Saxon life in Connecticut, complete with church picnics and horseback riding lessons. It came as quite a shock when she learned that her family actually came from a long line of Jewish ancestry. This was only one of the secrets she discovered. Read more of Liz’s writing and find out more at https://www.lizscott.org.
Zestful Aging tours Purpose Farm, in Upstate New York, which is a unique nonprofit, hosting a free youth program for traumatized children and rescued animals. Children who have emotional trauma from abuse, neglect or being bullied, interact with animals from similar backgrounds. The Farm offers the children hope, joy, empathy and confidence. Animal mentors include horses, pigs, goats, donkeys, a variety of birds, alpacas and a camel. The bonds that form are nothing short of magical. Sheryl DiStefano is a OB/GYN PA who retired from clinical practice 7 years ago. She was introduced to Purpose Farm at a goat yoga class, which she begrudgingly attended. After class she toured the farm, and became a volunteer. She does a variety of volunteer activities, including pasture cleaning, food prep for Chris P Bacon (a pig), saleswoman at goat yoga and fundraising for the Farm. Find out more at: PurposeFarm.org.
Melissa Berton is the Academy Award winning producer for Best Documentary Short for Period. End of Sentence.and CEO of The Pad Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the principle that “a period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education.” Berton is the recipient of the of the 2019 Eleanor Roosevelt Global Women’s Rights Award and works as a English teacher in Los Angeles. Period. End of Sentence.is available on Netflix. Find out more at https://www.thepadproject.org/ .
Bill Protzmann’s mission is to raise awareness of the power of music as self care, especially for vulnerable populations. In addition to being a successful IT entrepreneur, Bill holds magna cum laude degrees in piano performance and creative writing, and has performed for many years with a focus on bringing music to audiences in non-traditional ways. His work was recognized by the National Council for Behavioral Health with an Award of Excellence. Learn more at https://www.musiccare.net/ or http://www.practicalheartskills.com/.
Gyata Stormon is an accomplished tennis player, a US and Canadian tennis coach, and three time Canadian senior doubles champion. Her brand new book, On the Ball: Doubles Tennis Tactics for Recreational Players began as notes prepared for her students. Eventually she had so many drafts for different level students, and so many pages she still wanted to write, it was time to put it together in one convenient book. Find out more at OntheBallbook.com.
Colleen Wietmarschen evolved from introverted child to successful business woman to triathlete at 50. Colleen faces challenges with an open mind. She wears many hats, including professional publishing consultant. Whether it’s a blog, a memoir or an article you want to submit to your favorite magazine, she knows how to help shape an idea into a finished product. Check out her work at: YourLiteraryProse.com.
James Baraz has been teaching mindfulness meditation for over four decades. He is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Northern California. He is co-author of two award-winning books: Awakening Joy and Awakening Joy for Kids. Since 2003, James has been leading the online course Awakening Joy taken by more than 20,000 people. He serves as an advisor to One Earth Sangha, https://oneearthsangha.org/, a website devoted to Buddhist responses to Climate Change. Find out more at www.awakeningjoy.info/.
Irene Frances Olson is the author of Requiem for the Status Quo, a fictional account that doesn't hold any punches when it comes to describing the toll Alzheimer's takes on families. Irene spent a year trying to get her book published, suffering more than a hundred rejections in the process. The book she wrote to honor her father was finally published when Irene was sixty-three-years-old. She is on the management team of Alzauthors, a community of authors sharing their stories to light the way for others. Find out more at IreneFrancesOlson.com and her blog Babyboomersandmore.com.
Perley-Ann Friedman calls herself “the happy cat.” She’s originally from Ottawa, Canada, but lives most of the year on Koh Lanta, a small remote island in southern Thailand. A survivor of an aggressive type of cancer, she believes happiness is a choice we make, even in the face of adversity. Find out more about her at TheHappyCat.ca.
Sheila Applegate’s Guided Meditation CD Enchanted One was awarded the NAMMY, which is the Native American equivalent of a GRAMMY. She’s developed her own Meditation Technique, known as conscious meditation, which is designed to bring more joy into our daily lives. Find out more at: SheilaApplegate.com.
Marianne Sciucco is the author of several books in Contemporary, Women's, and Young Adult fiction. She's also a registered nurse and combines her love of words with insight gained from her nursing career, including such themes as Alzheimer's and dementia, PTSD, opioid addiction, and chronic pain. Her titles include Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story, Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas, and Swim Season. Her work has also been published in several anthologies, including the newly released Chicken Soup for the Soul: Mom Knows Best. She’s also the co-founder of Alzauthors, a global community of writers sharing their stories to help others. You can contact her at MarianneSciucco@gmail.com.
Kathy Elkins and her husband Steve are the owners of three businesses in the handknitting space. For the last 16 years they have been the second-generation owners of WEBS - America's Yarn Store. Last year they acquired String Yarns, a luxury yarn store located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Prior to her foray into the world of yarn, Kathy managed and directed the marketing efforts for several consumer brands. She is a passionate Boston sports fan but her greatest joy is cheering for her two sons from the sidelines. Find out more at Yarn.com and stringyarns.com.
Margaret Zhao is an author, poet and teacher of Chinese traditional healing arts. Her award-winning memoir, Really Enough: A True Story of Tyranny, Courage and Comedy, charts her daunting struggle for survival, freedom and forbidden love, as Enemy of the State under Chairman Mao. Her natural sense of humor has led her to be a Standup Comedian and Motivational Speaker applauded by audiences of all ages. Margaret lives in San Francisco area and has been actively teaching complementary medicine and sharing Buddhist philosophy. Find out more at ReallyEnough.com.
Gary Glazner is a poet, founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project. Gary is an internationally recognized speaker and expert on using poetry with people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. NBC's “Today” show, and NPR's “All Things Considered” have featured segments on Glazner’s work. Glazner was recently published in “JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association”, a peer-reviewed medical journal. Find out more at: http://www.alzpoetry.com/.
Judy Banker has dedicated over 4 decades to the field of eating disorders, entering the field in its nascent years and pioneering treatment and education efforts here in the U.S. and around the globe during her term as President of the international Academy for Eating Disorders. However, music, in particular playing the guitar and singing folk and roots music, has always been a part of her life; starting with performing with friends and at family weddings, but eventually performing on stages with her late husband John, at local clubs and in a folk trio with a well-known Michigan songwriter, Jay Stielstra. When John passed away suddenly in 2012, music came to play a new role in Judy's life. You can learn more about Judy at JudyBanker.com and get tickets for her performance in Idaho here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rosalie-sorrels-1st-annual-music-memorial-tickets-59608275958
Michael Hebb is the founder of Death Over Dinner.org and the author of “Let's Talk about Death (over Dinner): An Invitation and Guide to Life's Most Important Conversation”. He’s also the founder of Convivium, a creative agency that specializes in the ability to shift culture through the use of thoughtful food and discourse-based gatherings. Convivium has worked closely with thought/cultural leaders and many foundations/institutions including: The World Economic Forum, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, TED, Apple, United Nations Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. Learn more at DeathOverDinner.org.
Comedian and writer Regina Stoops was born and raised in a town called Normal though her humor is anything but….Regina has her own unique perspective on what most might consider the mundane details of ordinary life: raising three boys, aging parents, health care, navigating the world of special education, and trips to the grocery store. She describes her life as an ongoing process of "coming out" as she continues to embrace diversity, adversity and suburban chaos armed with quick wit and humor. Regina is working on her first collection of short stories. Find out more atreginastoops.com and www.facebook.com/reginastoopscomedy.
Gincy Heins is the co-author of the 365 Caregiving Tipsseries which covers Practical Tips from Everyday Caregivers, Travel and Respite, and Hospitals, Care Facilities and Hospice. She is also the creator and editor of Before the Diagnosis: Stories of Life and Love Before Dementia, an anthology of stories by 36 authors, each about a relative they have known and loved before that person was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Over 90% of the profits from the sales of the book are donated to four nonprofit organizations that assist people with any type of dementia, and their families. Find out more at 365Caregivingtips.com.
Michelle Vina-Baltsas is a certified intuitive eating counselor and body image coach who is passionate about helping women of all ages overcome shameful eating and body dissatisfaction. She’s an expert in menopause and helping women understand it through a spiritual lens. Find out more about her work at www.michellevinaBaltsas.com.
A Foreign Service Officer for fifteen years, John Graham was in the middle of the revolution in Libya and the war in Vietnam. For three years in the mid-seventies, he was a member of NATO’s top-secret Nuclear Planning Group, then served as a foreign policy advisor to Senator John Glenn. At the United Nations, he was deeply involved in U.S. initiatives in Southern Africa, South Asia and Cuba. Outside government, John’s been part of major peace-building efforts in the Middle East and Africa. Since 1983 he’s been a leader of the Giraffe Heroes Project, an international organization moving people to stick their necks out for the common good and giving them the tools to succeed. His focus now is on inspiring and training political activists in places like Nigeria, Nepal, India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and Egypt. Find out more at Giraffe.org.
Anastasia Pottinger -- What Time Creates - Listen Here or Download to your device. May 11, 2019 In her first book, 100: What Time Creates, Anastasia Pottinger uses light, shadow, talent, experience, and her intuitive perspective to capture the strength, endurance, and uncommon – and often overlooked – inherent beauty exclusive to women and men who have lived one hundred years or more. Pottinger burst on the national and international scene when her black and white portrait series of centenarians ‘went viral’ and featured on thousands of websites and in publications around the globe, including CNN and Bored Panda. The series continued to grow, and soon became the book, 100: What Time Creates Learn more at: http://lenscratch.com/2011/03/anatasia-pottinger/ or http://www.roguestudios.photo/ .
Kerry Hannon is a nationally recognized expert and strategist on career transitions, personal finance, entrepreneurship and retirement. She is a frequent TV and radio commentator and has appeared as a career and financial expert on The Dr. Phil Show, ABC, CBS, CNBC, NBC Nightly News, NPR, and PBS. Kerry is currently a columnist and regular contributor to The New York Times, AARP’s Work and Jobs Expert, contributing editor and Second Verse columnist at Forbes, and the PBS website NextAvenue.org expert and columnist on personal finance and entrepreneurship for boomer women. Kerry focuses on empowering yourself to do more with your career and personal finances – now and for the future. Kerry’s new book, “Never Too Old to Get Rich: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business Mid-Life”, will be out Spring 2019. Find out more at KerryHannon.com.
Both of Jean Lee's parents were diagnosed with Alzheimer's on the same day in 2006. She kept a journal during her parents' decline, and fleshed that into a book intended just for her family. She joined a local writing group to help her write her story well. Encouraged by their belief in the story, Jean published Alzheimer's Daughter in 2015, even though she really thought she could be struck by lightning for revealing family secrets. In the four years since publication, the story has resonated with many. Alzheimer's Daughter floats in the top 100 Alzheimer's books on Amazon and was recently named #6 in the Best Alzheimer's Books of all time by Book Authority. Jean is also cofounder of AlzAuthors.com. Their goal is to collate well-vetted books written through the personal lens about Alzheimer's and dementia. Learn more at Alzauthors.com and AlzheimersDaughter.com.
Sandra Sabene is the owner of the LIverpool Arts Center in upstate NY. She’s a business woman, artist, musician and healer whose focus is expressive art, rhythm and meditation programs. Her TEDx talk focuses on the art of letting go. Sandra facilitates several programs, including Healing Waters Sanctuary and Creative Rhythms, with her husband by her side. Find out more at the LiverpoolArtCenter.com.
In 2013, Gloria Rakowsky noticed the lack of women at craft beer events in Syracuse, NY and the idea was born to start a Meetup for like minded women. The first meeting had 14 women, and now the Syracuse Women of Craft Beer have 100 members. They meet monthly to learn about the local micro brewery scene, get educated about the art of making beer, and socialize in a comfortable environment. Check out their Facebook Page: Syracuse Women of Craft Beer.
Dr. Tia Powell is the author of the brand new book Dementia Reimagined: Building a Life of Joy and Dignity from Beginning to End. Despite being a physician and a bioethicist, she wasn't prepared to address the challenges she faced when her grandmother, and then her mother, were diagnosed with dementia--not to mention confronting the hard truth that her own odds aren't great. Dr. Powell's goal is to move the conversation away from an exclusive focus on cure to a genuine appreciation of care--what we can do for those who have dementia, and how to keep life meaningful and even joyful. Her book can be pre-ordered from Amazon and other book sellers.
David Harry Stewart is an award winning photographer and the founder of “Ageist”, a media company whose purpose is to reinvent how life is lived, experienced and understood by those over 50. He is an expert on the new life phase that is emerging among this financially empowered yet underserved demographic. Find out more at WeareAgeist.com.
In 2016, Kathryn Harrison wrote and illustrated her debut picture book, “Weeds in Nana’s Garden”, to help spread understanding of dementia among children. Since its publication, her book has been translated into multiple languages and is available globally. In 2018, she collaborated with dementia care expert, Jaclyn Guenette, to launch another picture book about dementia, “I Smile For Grandpa”. Kathryn is also a member of the management team running AlzAuthors.com, the world's largest online collection of written resources about Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Both of Kathryn’s children’s books support the Alzheimer Society of Canada with every purchase. Find out more at Alzauthors.com.
Kristin Neff, Ph.D. is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, being the first one to operationally define and measure the construct over a decade ago. In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she has developed an eight-week program to teach self-compassion skills in daily life, co-created with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, called Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC). Her book, Self-Compassion, was published by William Morrow in April, 2011. Find out more at https://self-compassion.org/.
Beth Battaglino, RN, is the CEO of the HealthyWomen website, which was recognized as one of the top 100 women’s health web sites by Forbes for three consecutive years, and was recognized by Oprah Magazine as one of the top women’s health web sites. She also is a practicing nurse in maternal child health, in Red Bank, NJ. Learn more at HealthyWomen.org and North American Menopause Society - https://www.menopause.org/ .
Christine Cummings is the co-founder of A Place Called Hope (Raptors) in Killingworth, CT. Their goal is to teach the public how to protect and respect wildlife, in particular Raptors. Their hope is to release a wild bird back into its own environment after a brief stay their facility. She says that there is no comparison to giving a wild bird or animal the gift of freedom. Learn more: http://www.aplacecalledhoperaptors.com/
Megrette Fletcher, a registered dietician, is the Cofounder of “The Center for Mindful Eating” and co-author of “Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes”. This unique book explores two of Megrette's passions: mindful eating and diabetes care.
When she isn't working you might find her walking her dog, cycling, trying to improve her cooking or yoga skills (she admits to be only passable at both), or singing off-key at a Karaoke bar. To learn more about her, visit her website at Megrette.com.
Death Cafes offer a safe place to talk about a taboo subject. Participants talk about death while drinking tea and eating cakes. These cafes are spreading throughout the world as people embrace the opportunity to talk about death in a nonjudgemental, open and honest environment. Find out more at DeathCafe.com.
Charlotte Japp is the 28 year old Founder of CIRKEL, an intergenerational networking platform that connects people from different age groups through cultural events. Past CIRKEL events have explored industries like publishing, tech, and fashion through the lens of multiple generational experiences. Charlotte is passionate about creating smart, social design to galvanize people of all ages to share stories and teach each other lessons that can't be learned from Google. Charlotte’s project was recently profiled in the New York Times. Find out more at https://www.CIRKEL.world.
Paula Harer was married for more than 30 years before packing up one day and moving to a one-room loft with her dog, Red. She was in shock at what her life had become and she had no idea how to start over. Slowly she started writing and eventually she created a her website, startingoveratsixty.com, and her new life began to take shape. Find out more about Paula at https://www.startingoveratsixty.com/.
Nicole tells the story of her unique opportunity to play tennis in the National Senior Games. She’s super excited to go to Albuquerque this spring and bring home the gold for New York. Her training schedule is brutal: jumping on the rebounder to classic Elvis Costello at high volume, and hiking the dogs in the local cemetery with her weighted vest on and keeping her chocolate consumption to a moderate level.
Elizabeth Speidel -- “Just Show Up and See What Happens” - Listen Here or Download to your device. January 19, 2019 Elizabeth Speidel is The Ohio State University Intergenerational Program Manager at Champion Intergenerational Center, a community-university partnership between OSU, Columbus Early Learning Centers, and National Church Residences Centers for Senior Health in Columbus, OH. Her passion for building community and supporting people’s recognition of their own inherent worth and dignity has led to a variety of meaningful work ranging from direct service to policy and legal advocacy. Contact Elizabeth at - Elizabeth.Speidel@osumc.edu.
Stacey Gustafson -- Getting On Stage At 50 - Listen Here or Download to your device. January 12, 2019 Stacey Gustafsonis the bestselling author of Are You Kidding Me? My Life with an Extremely Loud Family, Bathroom Calamities, and Crazy Relatives, ranked #1 Amazon in Parenting & Family Humor and Motherhood. She’s also an inspirational speaker, blogger and comedian. Her short stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul and other in print and online publications.
She’s won Best Comic of the Month at Tommy T’s Comedy Club and performs stand-up throughout the East Bay. Her newest book, Are You Still Kidding Me? was released September 2018. She lives in Pleasanton, CA. Visit her popular blog at StaceyGustafson.com and Twitter @RUKiddingStacey.
Reema Zaman is an actress, model, writer and is the 2018 Oregon literary arts writer of color fellow. She is the author of the new memoir “I AM YOURS”, which will be on sale in January 2019. Her book is receiving enormous buzz, given it's profound timeliness and the beauty and impact of the writing. I Am Yours tells the story of Reema's unwavering fight to protect and free her voice from those that sought to silence her. Her book is available for pre-sale at all bookselling websites. “I Am Yours”
Nicole takes the mic to talk about a kinder, gentler New Year’s resolution-- the kind that’s not a set up for failure and disappointment. Find out more at NicoleChristina.com.
Zannat is a passionate registered dietician and a regular on Canadian TV and media, helping people thrive through the five pillars of health: eat, move, breathe, explore and create. She calls herself a foodie and a food and health storyteller. She is also interested in influencing policy in the direction of better health for all citizens. Zannat co-commissioned a survey on healthy aging in Canada and wants to use that data as a call to action for government and interested parties. Find out more at thrive360.buzz.
Dr. Katherine Pettus is the Advocacy Officer for Human Rights and Palliative Care at International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care. She travels to meetings around the world, advocating for improved access to internationally controlled essential medicines such as morphine, as a component of the right to health. She also addresses palliative care issues for older persons, for children, in universal coverage, for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and palliative care medications in national essential medicines lists. She grounds her European and US advocacy work in her visits to partners in Latin America, Africa, and India, where she participates ‘as often as possible’ in home care with colleagues and their teams who work in extremely challenging circumstances to deliver palliative care to the indigent and mentally ill. Find out more about Katherine’s work at: Hospicecare.com and nhpco.org.
Meg LaPorte is a writer, communications specialist and advocate for aging. Inspired by Humans of New York, she’s created a project called “Age In America” (www.ageinamerica.blog) that combines the power of storytelling and social media to change peoples’ perspectives about being older and growing older.
Kerry Egan is a hospice chaplain, graduate of Harvard Divinity School, and author of On Living and Fumbling: A Journey of Love, Adventure, and Renewal on the Camino de Santiago. Her work has been featured on PBS and CNN, and her essays have appeared in Parents, American Baby, Reader’s Digest, and CNN.com, where they have been read more than two million times. Find out more at KerryEgan.com.
Antonia Rolls is an artist and a soul midwife, which is a holistic companion and support for people at the end of life. Her “A Graceful Death” exhibition, includes portraits and words from the end of life. Her workshops include “Coming Home” and “Coming Back To Yourself”. Though she deals with endings, her great interest is in life and how we live it. Dying puts our living into focus. Find out more here: http://www.antoniarolls.co.uk
Ruthi Cohen-Joyner, MPH, RDN, is “gratefully addicted” to yoga, meditation and Tapping. She is also a nutritionist, motivational speaker and certified in hypnotherapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and Matrix Reimprinting.
Ruthi’s focus is on helping women create loving relationships with their mind, body and soul through releasing the emotional weight that is holding them back from all of their deepest desires. Contact her at YourTappingJourney.com.
Joy Loverde is the author of Who Will Take Care of Me When I Am Old? and the best-seller, The Complete Eldercare Planner. She’s shared her expertise on the Today Show, CBS Early Show, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio among many others. Joy serves as a mature-market consultant and spokesperson for some of America’s best-known companies and associations. She’s known widely in the industry for her energy and passion. Visit her website atwww.elderindustry.com.
Erin Casperson is the Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda, Erin loves sharing how the ancient practices of Ayurveda can be applied to modern-day living. She also teaches other outdoor programs at Kripalu, and has many years of hiking and backpacking experience in the woods of New England and has summited all 48 4,000-foot mountains in New Hampshire.
Banyan Botanicals is a great source of information on Ayurveda and the products used in its practice.
Molly Watts and Angela McDade are the hosts of the brand new podcast “Live HAPPIER Longer”. They have developed a system and planner called “5 For Life” to help encourage and maintain healthy habits for aging well. www.fiveforlife.co is their website. Visit https://fiveforlifeplanner.com for free copy of the planner.
A career nurse, Katie Williams was a Midwife then in Elder Care and finished up as a Palliative Care Nurse -- caring for people From Birth to Death. She describes it as a normal progression and a very satisfying one.
Katie is turning heads by creating the Kiwi Coffin Club -- a place where people can come together in a community and design their own coffins, with the help of people in the Club. Contrary to being depressing, Katie describes the group as affirming and life-giving. I highly recommend watching their Youtube mini-musical at https://youtu.be/YKxkLKggTlo. Learn more at the http://thecoffinclubmovie.com
Carol Bursack is an expert on caregiving and elder support. She’s the author of “Minding Our Elders” which she calls a portable support group for caregivers. Her popular column “Minding Our Elders”, has been running for 12 years.
Carol has also contributed to many other caregiving and dementia support books and is working on her second solo book. She’s been interviewed on national radio shows, including NPR's Talk of the Nation, and has been quoted in national media outlets , including the NYTimes and the Wall St Journal. Find out more at mindingourelders.com.
Marilynn, 76, and Sheila, 81, are the Hosts and Co-Executive producers of the James Beard Foundation-nominated television series, THE FOOD FLIRTS, for PBS. Cookbook authors, television producers, and culinary historians, the nationally-aired series features the sisters exploring the diversity of cuisines and cultures in America. Find out more on their facebook pages and at www.thebrasssisters.com .
Jonathan Rauch -- Surprising Findings From “The Happiness Curve” - Listen Here or Download to your device. November 18, 2018 Jonathan Rauch is the author of six books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing editor of “The Atlantic” and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. He is the author of “The Happiness Curve; Why Life Gets Better After 50”. Learn more at HappinessCurveBook.com
Eileen Schell is Professor of Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University. She directs the Composition and Cultural Rhetoric Doctoral Program at SU and is the author, co-author, and editor of seven books.
She, along with her colleague Ivy Kleinbart, started an intergenerational community writing group for veterans in 2010 in honor of her late uncle Brady Lane Smith, who served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot for 27 months. The group offers public readings and open dialogues on war and the military experience.
Mary Giehl -- Social Activist Artist and Avid Rock Climber at 65 - Listen Here or Download to your device. November 4, 2018 Mary Giehl’s art echoes themes that she had encountered through her work experience as a Registered Nurse in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She often cared for children after they had been abused and much of her work focuses around this theme. There are hints of darkness and confinement in her installations, along with a mixture and balance of playfulness and seriousness. Mary is also a dedicated rock climber, and creates dramatic spandex costumes for her nephew who is a semi-professional wrestler called Dalton Castle for Ring of Honor Wrestling. Some of her work can be seen at https://marygiehl.com/
Joan Moran -- Aging with Joy - Listen Here or Download to your device. November 4, 2018 Joan Moran is a former actress, theater and film producer, screenwriter and author turned yoga teacher. Through her own personal experiences she knows it is possible to age gracefully, find an authentic voice, pursue a passion or two and discover a spiritual balance. Joan is a writer and blogger for “SixtyandMe” among others. Learn more about Joan at joanfrancesmoran.com.
Sandra Fish is an actress on the acclaimed Netflix series "Sense8". She’s also a writer and caregiver, with decades of passion for prison reform and end of life issues. Sandra is Co-Chair for “San Francisco End of Life Network” and has trained and worked as a hospice volunteer with added training in pediatric hospice and vigil. Learn more at: humaneprisonhospiceproject.org, Sense8, and San FrancsicoEndofLifeProject: www.sfeol.org
Susan Collins -- Helping Women Connect - Listen Here or Download to your device. October 28, 2018 Susan Collins left her beloved career in homebuilding when the industry hit the skids in 2007 and started a consulting business. When she ran across an ad for The Transition Network, she realized that she was indeed in transition. She joined the Network just as the Philadelphia Chapter was being started, got involved and 5 years ago took the helm of the organization as its Executive Director.
Susan’s passion is helping women connect. It’s through these connections that we realize our value and find ways to stay relevant in today’s fast moving world. TTN’s members come together and discover the opportunities that await them as they move through all the various transitions that women of 50 are facing. They discover their true impact. More information at https://www.thetransitionnetwork.org/
Tula Goenka -- We Reclaimed the Centerfold - Listen Here or Download to your device. October 21, 2018 Tula Goenka is a breast cancer survivor, and the project director of the “Look Now Project”. The interview focuses on her personal experience with breast cancer, and her desire to bring the subject out in the open for the benefit of survivors as well as the general public.
She is also a filmmaker, author, human rights activist, and professor of Television, Radio & Film in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. As an editor she has worked with filmmakers such as Spike Lee, James Ivory, and Mira Nair. Her own documentaries include “Dancing on Mother Earth”, the award-winning PBS feature about singer/songwriter Joanne Shenandoah. Goenka is author of ”Not JustBollywood: Indian Directors Speak” (2014).
She is the founder and co-director of the annual Syracuse University Human Rights Film Festival (SUHRFF). Goenka’s SUBollywood program provides TRF students with a summer immersion experience in Mumbai. She serves on the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence. Born and raised in India, Goenka remains very involved in the South Asian community in the U.S. and has served on the boards of several international human rights organizations. Find out more at LookNowProject.org
Barbara Demorest -- “Knitted Knockers, A Three Way Blessing” - Listen Here or Download to your device. October 7, 2018 Barbara Demorest recently retired from her 30 year career as a CPA in order to pursue her passion for connecting volunteer knitters and crocheters with breast cancer survivors to provide free knitted knockers to those that can use them. Barbara has traveled to Rwanda to teach women how to knit their own knitted knockers. She says, “After hearing the awful words, you have cancer and struggling with the impact of having a mastectomy, a simple gift of comfort and dignity knit by a caring friend changed my life.” Learn more at KnittedKnockers.org.
In her latest documentary, “Coming of Age in Aging America”, she asks: what does it mean for a society to have so many people living so much longer?
Rather than looking at aging as an individual predicament, the documentary makes connections to social policies and institutions, tackling topics such as how we work and where we live and how those arrangements could—or should—be updated to meet the current reality. Watch the documentary: aptonline.org/catalog/COMING-OF-AGE-IN-AGING-AMERICA
Alua Arthur -- Going with Grace - Listen Here or Download to your device. September 16, 2018 Alua Arthur is the Founder of Going with Grace, an end of life organization, which supports people as they answer the question “What must I do to be at peace with myself so I may live presently and die peacefully?” As a death doula and attorney, the perspective Alua has gained from her unique 15 year career allows her to help her clients focus on the practical and emotional needs while contemplating the end of life. Find out more at Goingwithgrace.com.
Priti Robyn Ross -- Life as Yoga - Listen Here or Download to your device. September 9, 2018 Priti Robyn Ross is a long time yoga teacher and self-care specialist, Priti Robyn pioneered the first cardiac yoga program with Dr. Oz. She is an advocate of cultivating self care by taking “little nurturing breaks” and teaches practical ways to “refill your well.” Her belief is that unless we are ourselves well cared for, we can’t bring our care out into the world, where it is desperately needed. Find out more at lifeasyoga.com, or email her directly at pritiyoga1@gmail.com.
Hilary Henderson -- Helping Clients Navigate Retirement - Listen Here or Download to your device. September 3, 2018 Hilary Henderson planned to retire at 65. Instead, she found herself unexpectedly walking out of her last job the day before she turned 60. Using her training as an occupational therapist, life coach, and earning an MBA she reinvented herself as a retirement coach. She helps her clients navigate one the most important transitions of their lives. Though located in South Africa, she has coached people throughout the world. Learn more at nuhorizons.co.za.
Jane Barratt -- The Goal is Connection - Listen Here or Download to your device. September 2, 2018 Dr. Jane Barratt is the Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), an organization in formal relations with the United Nations and World Health Organization. With over 35 years of experience in the field of ageing and disability across sectors she brings to audiences her insights into the new frontier of thinking and action with and on behalf of older people. The recent IFA 14th Global Conference on Ageing in Toronto attracted some 1,200 delegates from 74 countries focussing on themes such as healthy ageing, ageism, addressing inequalities and age friendly environment toward the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing. Find out more about the IFA at www.ifa-fiv.org.
Heidi Holtz is founder of Stillwork Consulting. She has a long history in theatre and arts administration, worked at the Gifford Foundation, a private non-profit foundation, and has taught at Syracuse University. She is an expert in mediation, and conflict resolution which she uses to assist boards of non-profit foundations. Her mother passed away a year ago, her first grandchild is on the way and she’s starting a brand new business, all just shy of her 60th birthday. Find out more about Heidi at StillworkConsulting.com.
Marci Alboher -- Leading Authority on Career and Workplace Trends - Listen Here or Download to your device. August 31st, 2018 Marci Alboher is one of the nation’s leading authorities on career issues and workplace trends. She works at Encore.org, a nonprofit innovation hub which develops initiatives for the 50+ worker. A former blogger and columnist for The New York Times, her latest book is “The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life.” Marci has been interviewed by NBC’s Nightly News, National Public Radio, and AARP to name a few. Find out more about Encore and its innovations at Encore.org.
Michelle Dalbec -- Knit, Pray, Love - Listen Here or Download to your device. August 26th, 2018 Michelle Dalbec is a yoga and meditation teacher at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshire region of Massachusetts, the largest yoga training facility in the US. She brings an unusual twist to meditation--if you'll pardon the pun. Michelle has developed a class around mindfulness and knitting, and some of the benefits might surprise you. Find out more at myoga.com.
Jean Kilbourneis internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work on the image of women in advertising and for her critical studies of alcohol and tobacco advertising. In the late 1960s she began her exploration of the connection between advertising and several public health issues, including violence against women, eating disorders, and addiction, and launched a movement to promote media literacy as a way to prevent these problems. A radical and original idea at the time, this approach is now mainstream and an integral part of most prevention programs. Find out more at: jeankilbourne.com