Growing Older with Gusto

Essays From The Edge Of Eighty What does it mean to be an octogenarian navigating the edge of eight with curiosity, humor, and depth? Philip Slayton—law professor, lawyer, author, and past PEN Canada president—joins the conversation to reflect on his acclaimed book All Remaining Passengers and the unique challenges and rewards of growing older. From embracing reinvention and honoring personal history to staying creative and deeply connected, Philip shares the emotional and philosophical balance of living meaningfully in your later years. This candid and uplifting dialogue reminds us that aging, while complex, can also be a time of extraordinary perspective, purpose, and discovery.

Sitting down with Gail Zugerman is Bonnie Moore, who talks about her debut book, Buried Bones. She shares how she used her background as an attorney and CPA to write a mystery novel about a crime committed in a small town. Bonnie also talks about using fictional detective Jessica Fletcher from “Murder, She Wrote” to create her protagonist, as well as how her novel is geared towards people aging well and super sleuths.

Aside from preparing your bags and pockets for your next holiday, you can also make your experience extra special by reading all about your destination ahead of your trip. Jackie Lapin can help you with this through her blog, The Historic Traveler. She joins Gail Zugerman to discuss how she marries her love for books and history to provide in-depth articles about today’s hottest and trendiest travel destinations. Jackie also shares how she utilizes her journalism background, photography skills, and first-hand travel experiences to craft well-written blogs every traveler and history buff will find enlightening.

Are you approaching the end of your primary career and wondering what comes next? It’s a common dilemma, but what if there’s a way to embrace this new chapter with purpose and excitement? In today’s episode, we’re joined by two incredible guests who’ve navigated this transition with success. Caroline Brecker, co-founder of Third Half Advisors, and Polly Chandler, a strength coach at the company, share their inspiring stories of how they reinvented themselves after leaving long careers to help others do the same. Caroline, with her extensive finance background, and Polly, a seasoned coach and facilitator, offer unique insights into how we can create the next phase of our lives with intention. Whether it’s finding a new purpose through coaching, consulting, or simply embracing a new path, you won’t want to miss this conversation about reimagining the rest of your life. Tune in to discover how to take that next step and thrive in your “third half!” — Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here What's Next? With Caroline Brecker And Polly Chandler How To Rewire Yourself How many of us have reached a point in our lives where our primary careers are coming to a close and we're trying to figure out what to do with the rest of our life? We have two guests, a bit of a switch who made the transition and started another great phase of their lives. Caroline Brecker is the Cofounder of Third Half Advisors. Her background includes many years in finance with Stints at JP Morgan Private Bank where she oversaw $40 billion. Polly Chandler is a strength coach at Third Hald Advisors. Her background as a seasoned coach, curriculum designer and facilitator who played a key role in launching one of the first NBA's sustainability in the country led to her involvement with Third Half Advisors. Welcome to the show. Thank you, Gail. Thank you. Many of us reach this point in our lives where we’re in endpoint with our career and so many people I've talked to the years, flounder because you've been successful, enjoyed a career but you want to do something else and don't know what it is and what to do. Tell our readers, if you will Caroline. Where were you in your life when you decided to retire from JP Morgan Private Bank and you need to figure out what's next? Excellent question. I retired from Morgan after decades of being there. The organization had evolved to a much bigger enterprise and was a place that I probably was ready to move on from in terms of my own personal growth. Coincidentally to that, my husband was retiring and a dear friend of mine, Campbell Garish who is the cofounder of Third Half was also stepping back from his firm. While I was doing consulting work, I was watching these two try to navigate the stepping back part and it was amazingly complicated. Need For Transition Support I was surprised at how many fragmented resources or lack of resources there were out there, especially in a trusted environment way. Again, our longevity has changed so dramatically. Over the last century, we’ve gained 30 years practically in life longevity and to know the people would be floundering around for not just months but potentially years was striking to me and Campbell and my husband. It spoke to a need in the marketplace for some community to help people have a little light structure in thinking through this next chapter. It was a very compelling need and something I found deeply interesting from my own work with individuals and families. Polly, how about you? My transition very much came from an intentional activity of logging what was energizing and what was draining me. I kept track of it for several months while I was still the Chair of the Department of Management at Antioch University. Over time, I saw a pattern, which was what was energizing me most was coaching and mentoring students and faculty and transitions. What was draining me were some of the academic responsibilities and committees and things like...

Are you approaching the end of your primary career and wondering what comes next? It’s a common dilemma, but what if there’s a way to embrace this new chapter with purpose and excitement? In today’s episode, we’re joined by two incredible guests who’ve navigated this transition with success. Caroline Brecker, co-founder of Third Half Advisors, and Polly Chandler, a strength coach at the company, share their inspiring stories of how they reinvented themselves after leaving long careers to help others do the same. Caroline, with her extensive finance background, and Polly, a seasoned coach and facilitator, offer unique insights into how we can create the next phase of our lives with intention. Whether it’s finding a new purpose through coaching, consulting, or simply embracing a new path, you won’t want to miss this conversation about reimagining the rest of your life. Tune in to discover how to take that next step and thrive in your "third half!" --- Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here What's Next? With Caroline Brecker And Polly Chandler How To Rewire Yourself How many of us have reached a point in our lives where our primary careers are coming to a close and we're trying to figure out what to do with the rest of our life? We have two guests, a bit of a switch who made the transition and started another great phase of their lives. Caroline Brecker is the Cofounder of Third Half Advisors. Her background includes many years in finance with Stints at JP Morgan Private Bank where she oversaw $40 billion. Polly Chandler is a strength coach at Third Hald Advisors. Her background as a seasoned coach, curriculum designer and facilitator who played a key role in launching one of the first NBA's sustainability in the country led to her involvement with Third Half Advisors. Welcome to the show. Thank you, Gail. Thank you. Many of us reach this point in our lives where we’re in endpoint with our career and so many people I've talked to the years, flounder because you've been successful, enjoyed a career but you want to do something else and don't know what it is and what to do. Tell our readers, if you will Caroline. Where were you in your life when you decided to retire from JP Morgan Private Bank and you need to figure out what's next? Excellent question. I retired from Morgan after decades of being there. The organization had evolved to a much bigger enterprise and was a place that I probably was ready to move on from in terms of my own personal growth. Coincidentally to that, my husband was retiring and a dear friend of mine, Campbell Garish who is the cofounder of Third Half was also stepping back from his firm. While I was doing consulting work, I was watching these two try to navigate the stepping back part and it was amazingly complicated. Need For Transition Support I was surprised at how many fragmented resources or lack of resources there were out there, especially in a trusted environment way. Again, our longevity has changed so dramatically. Over the last century, we’ve gained 30 years practically in life longevity and to know the people would be floundering around for not just months but potentially years was striking to me and Campbell and my husband. It spoke to a need in the marketplace for some community to help people have a little light structure in thinking through this next chapter. It was a very compelling need and something I found deeply interesting from my own work with individuals and families. Polly, how about you? My transition very much came from an intentional activity of logging what was energizing and what was draining me. I kept track of it for several months while I was still the Chair of the Department of Management at Antioch University. Over time, I saw a pattern, which was what was energizing me most was coaching and mentoring students and faculty and transitions. What was draining me were some of the academic responsibilities and committees and things like th...

Dr. Melvern Katzman is an amazing example of someone who is growing older with gusto and with a great sense of humor. He is a family man who cherishes his family connections, and has a revolving list of hobbies that keep him current and focused. He has the can do it spirit that has navigated him throughout his 97 years! — Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here Super Ager & Super Helper: Dr. Katzman, 97, Solves My Tech Crisis! Welcome to the show. We are continuing a series of episodes with people who are considered to be super-agers. Dr. Melvern Katzman, who lives in Toronto, is 97 years young and will be talking to us about what it takes to get to his age. Dr. Katzmann practiced optometry for 60 years, was actively involved in his professional organizations, his faith, and was a leader for Habitat for Humanity. Most recently, at age 97, he chaired his condo buildings 40th anniversary party. He is definitely growing older with Gusto. Let's get started. Welcome to the show, Dr. Katzman. Thank you very much for having me. Staying Vital At Any Age: Dr. Katzman's Secret Sauce To Joyful Aging I just have to tell my listeners, this is like so impressive before we even start the conversation. Dr. Katzman was having some trouble getting onto the podcast recording platform. He showed you effort like within a half hour, he did it all figure out, and here we are. I'm so impressed because I am a techno Neanderthal, and you're 97 years old, and I couldn't do what you did. I'm impressed. I wanted to ask you, people who come on our show or are selected because they've shown by example, their attitude towards growing older, and you're growing older in a positive and productive way. What would you tell someone who's maybe 50 years old what to do and how to grow older without being fearful of growing older? Let's say this. I really provided for my old age. I have many hobbies and I'm involved in the community, involved in my condo. When my time came to retire, I had plenty of things to do to keep my mind off being feared. Tell us a little bit about what you did to stay vital all these years. What were some of your hobbies? I know you do genealogy, and check me out. That was pretty impressive, too. I’m a stamp collector, a coin collector, involved with the condo, which I expanded into being involved with the federal government, the provincial government, and the municipal government. I'm quite active in the community. What would you say to our readers that has given you the greatest strength as you navigate through life's ups and downs? I think I'd have to go back to my family, my mother, my father, my in-laws, and one uncle who is my mentor. They provided a lot to me. They were the ones who made Mel Katzman. A Love Story & Lasting Connections: Family & Friends At 97 Dr. Katzman, tell our readers the wonderful story about how you met your wife. Believe it or not, it was that mentor uncle who made a blind date. He once had a function. He saw my supposed next and my wife, and he said, “That would be a nice girl for Mel.” We made a date, but he didn't realize her age. She was 17 and I was 24 and she wouldn't refuse the date because of my uncle. When we saw each other, that was it. Love at first sight, right? It's amazing. Talk to our readers a little bit about the importance of creating and keeping a strong circle of friends. There aren't too many friends. There aren't too many of my friends left. I seem to be the last one. What has happened? Children learn by observing and copying the actions and habits of adults. Throughout your life, I know you must have had a wide circle of friends. I had a lot of friends. Most of them, believe it or not, were younger than my wife and I. From my synagogue was one source. We belong to many organizations, and my activities in the community have created a lot of friends. Why do you think that you and your wife were drawn to younger people, or I should say, they...

How often do you get to hear from someone who’s 102 years old, sharp as a tack, and still living life with passion and purpose? In this episode of Growing Older with Gusto, host Gail Zugerman sits down with Dr. Robert Farber, a retired neonatologist pediatrician from Toronto, Canada. Dr. Farber shares his secrets to a long, fulfilling life—filled with family, friendships, and a love for sports (and yes, he still plays a mean game of Bridge!). He reflects on decades of medical practice, the joys of watching his grandchildren thrive, and his thoughts on the ever-changing world. Tune in for a heartwarming and inspiring conversation with Dr. Farber—proof that growing older with gusto is all about living with love, laughter, and resilience! — Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here Thriving At 102: Dr. Robert Farber’s Secrets To A Fulfilling Life How To Grow Older With Gusto I'm so excited because we have a very special guest on the show coming to us from Toronto, Canada. His name is Dr. Robert Farber. It's a pleasure to welcome you to the show. He has so many things to talk about. Most importantly, as most of you readers know, we love to talk to people who are growing older in a positive productive way. Dr. Farber is an incredible example of somebody who was now 102 and sharp as a tack and interesting. I'm going to stop talking because we got to talk to talk to Dr. Farber about all his secrets on how he got to where he is. Welcome to the show, Dr. Farber. How are you doing? How are things in Toronto? A little cool but bright. We're terribly worried about Trump. That could be a whole another episode. Tell me a little bit about what you like to do when you were growing up. What was like some of your favorite activities. I'm a very big sports fan. I'm still a big sports fan now. I loved fishing. My elder son and I went all over Canada in Northwest Territory and caught some big fish. What kind of fish? Is it Pike or salmon? What were you catching? We're catching mostly Pickerel. You call them Walleye. Big eye. What's the biggest fish you've ever caught? I got a recording from the Minister of Fisheries in Manitoba. It was a 48 inches Pike. It’s an action release. You caught it and then you let it go. One of the reasons that you were recommended to me to be on the show is, we love talking to people like you who are navigating through life in a way that is inspirational. I wanted to ask you, what would you tell someone who's at midline about what they should be doing and enabling them to grow older without being afraid of being older? Is any advice you would give to them? What will I advise them? What did you do to reach your state? Sit back and relax. You can’t do anything about faith. What did you do to stay vital throughout your life? You said you like sports. Were you actively involved in a particular sport? I'm 6 foot one and a half, so I played a little bit of college of basketball. I grew up in a small town in Canada in Brantford, Ontario. I could skate beautifully. As a matter of fact, one of my closest friends Sam Kennedy eventually became a Detroit Red Wings Star. This is hockey. You played hockey? I could play hockey. Did you any other physical activities at midlife that you enjoyed? Physical activity? Making love to my wife. You don't need anything to maintain a friendship. It just exists. How long are you married? 65 years. Dr. Farber's Career As A Pediatrician Congratulations. That's quite a milestone. I know you're a physician. What medicine did you practice? I was a pediatrician. A child’s specialist. Did you specialize in sleeping disorders with kids or anything special? Yes, neonatal work, newborns. Worked with sick kids a little over for 35-40 years. What is giving you the greatest strengths as you've moved through your life aside from being a doctor? My family. Family As His Greatest Strength And Joy Tell me a little bit about your family. I have three...

Matthew Edgerton is using personal life experiences and work background to help an aging population find their tribe and grow older with gusto. In this conversation with Gail Zugerman, he shares how he interviewed all types of people, from the aging in independent living to their caregivers and family members, to create his business model called Cogensus. Matthew sheds light on the lack of stimulation among older people and how he strives to determine the best way to get them engaged in life. He also explains how Cogensus uses AI in creating family memoirs that will give people a purpose and something to add to their legacy. — Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here Finding Your Tribe In The Digital Age With Matthew Edgerton Our guest is an enterprising man from California who has been shaped by life experiences to leave the world a better place by helping people as they grow older. His name is Matthew Edgerton, and he's launching a company in 2025 called Cogensus, which he has created through his background of being a thought leader in the areas of artificial intelligence, innovation strategy, and product development. Prior to his latest endeavor, Cogensus, Matthew led the global strategy and GTM for the communication and media division of Accenture, Microsoft's cloud-first practice. Matthew has so much to tell us about how he got to where he is, so I'd like to welcome him to the show. Welcome, Matthew. Gail, thanks for having me. How Matthew’s Experiences Shaped Cogensus You told me you're shaped by your personal experiences. Let's start there. Can you tell our readers how this played into you starting your own company called Cogensus? Great name, by the way. Thank you. The personal experience I referenced was the particular passing of my grandfather. When I was a little guy, I spent a lot of time with my granddad. He watched me a lot from the ages of 1 to 11, when he passed away. My grandpa, I learned later in life, was a pretty exemplary guy. He went through a lot of interesting life experiences. Growing up with him in the context of being his grandchild, I was not exposed to any of that because there are a lot of adult topics you just can't talk to a child about. I understand totally. When I was in my late twenties, I one day stumbled upon his online obituary, and it referenced a couple of things that I didn't know. I went on a research journey of my own to learn more about my grandpa. I learned that he joined World War II at seventeen. He fought and served and got a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. He came back and tried to commit suicide and then survived. A lot of intense life experiences. It's a shame that we don't have more clarity and depth on what happened there. That colored my experience. In the age of AI, I thought that a lot of people are going to be getting older. It'll be a real shame if their combined histories pass away without being saved in some form or fashion. That was one of the personal experiences that caused me to move in this direction. This is somewhat professional, but in 2022, I helped the United Nations. I wrote some climate standards for them. You can find it under the ITU group. Effectively, they have these things called SDGs, which are Sustainable Development Goals. There's a big focus on both preserving the histories of the world. That could be all kinds of different communities, including indigenous folks, all the way up to helping the world as it ages. That was where I first got exposed to this broader problem about, I’ll call it the aging world that we live in. We are going to be entering a time where we have a lot more people over the age of 60 than under it. That causes a whole bunch of both societal as well as localized changes that need to occur. By taking that into account and trying to be a positive person and leave a positive impact, and then my own personal experiences. That is what shaped Cogensus effectively. Importance Of Social...

Reinvention isn’t just a change—it’s an art, and Susan Hays has mastered it, French style. In this episode, Susan Hays shares her journey of reinventing herself after settling in southwestern France. From managing a guest cottage to curating a boutique vintage shop and assisting clients with property searches, Susan has built a fulfilling life centered on passion and purpose. She reveals how she combines her love for France with entrepreneurial spirit, creating a life that embraces change and thrives on connection. Tune in for Susan’s insights on adaptability, building a business, and living with gusto, all inspired by the charm of French living. — Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here Reinventing Yourself, French Style: Susan Hays’ Inspiring Journey How To Please Yourself By Helping Others Welcome to the show, a show dedicated to providing a platform for people who are growing older in a positive and productive way to dispense their wisdom. You can find out more about our show by going to our website at www.GrowingOlderWithGusto.com. Our guest is a woman by the name of Susan Hays who has shown by example how to reinvent herself as she is growing older. She is coming to us from Southwestern France and talking to Susan about her life makes it clear she's like a controlled tornado. She grew up on a farm in Southern England loving outdoor adventures and a passion for horseback riding. She moved to London to work as an adult where she met her husband, Roddy, and they moved around a bit, floating among three different continents. Craving warm weather brought them back to France with their five kids where they tested the waters in Provence and Pyrenees. The past twelve years, they have settled into an area in Southwestern France. I think I'm pronouncing this right, Charente-Maritime, where Susan is happily engaged in a property search and relocation business, a guest cottage endeavor, and an online boutique business. I think I need a nap already. Welcome to the show, Susan. Great to have you. It's an absolute honor to be here. Thank you for having me. In talking to your childhood experiences seem magical in themselves. I know that horses and physical activity seem to be the predominant theme. I was wondering, looking back on your formative years, how did they create a platform for you to continue Growing Older with Gusto? Get Up And Go: Embracing An Active Life I think I'm a great believer in just getting on and doing something. I think being a farmer's daughter, even though we had help on the farm, you learn just to get on and do things. If I want something done, just go for it. Always believe in yourself, and do your best. Also just to be outside as much as possible. I'm a great believer in outside doing physical activity as much as possible. Somebody once gave me some advice, actually quite recently, and it's when you get up in the morning, no matter what the weather, stand outside and just feel fresh air for five minutes. I now do that, whether it's rain or shine, and somehow it just sets you up for the day. When you get up in the morning, no matter what the weather is, stand out and just feel the fresh air for five minutes. That's a great idea. I'll try that. Now that I'm living in a warmer climate will help. That's true. Sometimes when it's cold, it's quite tough. I haven't gone the cold bath that route. I was just going to say, I don't think I'm going to be a candidate for a cold climate. Nonetheless, me neither. I just cannot, no. You moved from southern England to London where you received a pilot's license. How did that come about? I started working in London and I was actually terrified of flying and it was I would go on holiday and whenever I was on holiday, I would worry the whole time that I had to come back and get on that airplane again. I was sharing an apartment with a lady who was older than me but she also was a private pilot instructor. She said, “Just come and do a...

Ever wondered how to navigate life's challenges with a smile? Join Gail Zugerman in a hilarious and insightful conversation with Greg Schwem, a well-respected corporate comedian and cruise ship entertainer who has turned life's gut punches into punchlines. Discover how Greg's superpower – humor – helped him navigate a gray divorce and a cancer diagnosis, all while keeping his audience laughing. Plus, get ready for some witty insights on online dating, the importance of human connection, and the power of laughter in the face of adversity. Greg has recently written a book about his personal life called, “Turning Gut Punches Into Punchlines“. He is on SIRIUS Radio and Comedy Central and has shared the stage with Jay Leno, Celine Dion, and Keith Urban! — Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here The Power Of Humor: Navigating Life's Ups And Downs With Greg Schwem How To Use Humor To Get Through Life's Curve Balls Welcome to the show. This is a show that provides a platform for older people who are growing older in a positive and productive way to come on stage and dispense their wisdom. You can find out more about our show by going to www.GrowingOlderWithGusto.com. We have a very special guest for the holidays from the start of the new year who happens to be a comedian from Chicago. He is navigating the ups and downs of life by utilizing his superpower as a comedian and using his great sense of humor. His name is Greg Schwem. He spends much of his professional time on stage and onboard cruise ships. The Chicago Tribune has proclaimed him as “The King of the Hill” in the growing world of corporate comedy. He's been on Sirius Radio and Comedy Central and has shared the stage with the likes of Celine Dion, Jay Leno, and Keith Urban. We're going to talk to Greg about how changes later in life don't necessarily have to be as scary as you might think if you find the humor in difficult, challenging, and unfamiliar situations. Greg has also written a very funny book based on his own personal life called Turning Gut Punches into Punch Lines. There's a lot to talk about with Greg so let's get going. Welcome to the show, Greg. Thank you for having me. Superpowers, I love that. I don't think I've ever been introduced as having superpowers. That's a lot of pressure. From Journalist To Comedian: Greg Schwem's Unlikely Path To Success Why don't we begin by having you tell our audience a bit about how you got started as a corporate speaker which the Huffington Post has called you “Your boss's favorite comedian”? It's weird. I quit my job in journalism. I was a newspaper and a TV reporter in West Palm Beach, Florida. I did that for the first five years out of college. I was always a comedian though. I always did it as a hobby. I started doing it in high school. I finally decided after five years in journalism, which doesn't sound like a lot but it is a lot. It takes a toll on you, particularly with the kind of stories that I was covering which were certainly not funny. They were very depressing. I told a lot of morbid stories. I would do that during the day and then I would go to comedy clubs at night and make people laugh. I eventually decided I liked doing that better so I moved back to Chicago. I became a club comedian, the guy who goes around to clubs around the country and makes people laugh. Little by little, I started getting approached because of the type of material that I was doing in my standup act. I was doing material about computers, business, meetings, and that kind of stuff. I would have people come up to me afterward and invite me down to their Christmas party, their golf outing, or little stuff like that. That snowballed. The more shows that I did for business groups, the more I got noticed by people who booked those kinds of events on a much larger scale. I was getting approached by corporate speakers bureaus, corporate booking agents, and meeting planners. It is a word of mouth...

Ever wondered how to navigate life's challenges with a smile? Join Gail Zugerman in a hilarious and insightful conversation with Greg Schwem, a well-respected corporate comedian and cruise ship entertainer who has turned life's gut punches into punchlines. Discover how Greg's superpower - humor - helped him navigate a gray divorce and a cancer diagnosis, all while keeping his audience laughing. Plus, get ready for some witty insights on online dating, the importance of human connection, and the power of laughter in the face of adversity. Greg has recently written a book about his personal life called, "Turning Gut Punches Into Punchlines". He is on SIRIUS Radio and Comedy Central and has shared the stage with Jay Leno, Celine Dion, and Keith Urban! --- Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here The Power Of Humor: Navigating Life's Ups And Downs With Greg Schwem How To Use Humor To Get Through Life's Curve Balls Welcome to the show. This is a show that provides a platform for older people who are growing older in a positive and productive way to come on stage and dispense their wisdom. You can find out more about our show by going to www.GrowingOlderWithGusto.com. We have a very special guest for the holidays from the start of the new year who happens to be a comedian from Chicago. He is navigating the ups and downs of life by utilizing his superpower as a comedian and using his great sense of humor. His name is Greg Schwem. He spends much of his professional time on stage and onboard cruise ships. The Chicago Tribune has proclaimed him as “The King of the Hill” in the growing world of corporate comedy. He's been on Sirius Radio and Comedy Central and has shared the stage with the likes of Celine Dion, Jay Leno, and Keith Urban. We're going to talk to Greg about how changes later in life don't necessarily have to be as scary as you might think if you find the humor in difficult, challenging, and unfamiliar situations. Greg has also written a very funny book based on his own personal life called Turning Gut Punches into Punch Lines. There's a lot to talk about with Greg so let's get going. Welcome to the show, Greg. Thank you for having me. Superpowers, I love that. I don't think I've ever been introduced as having superpowers. That's a lot of pressure. From Journalist To Comedian: Greg Schwem's Unlikely Path To Success Why don't we begin by having you tell our audience a bit about how you got started as a corporate speaker which the Huffington Post has called you “Your boss's favorite comedian”? It's weird. I quit my job in journalism. I was a newspaper and a TV reporter in West Palm Beach, Florida. I did that for the first five years out of college. I was always a comedian though. I always did it as a hobby. I started doing it in high school. I finally decided after five years in journalism, which doesn't sound like a lot but it is a lot. It takes a toll on you, particularly with the kind of stories that I was covering which were certainly not funny. They were very depressing. I told a lot of morbid stories. I would do that during the day and then I would go to comedy clubs at night and make people laugh. I eventually decided I liked doing that better so I moved back to Chicago. I became a club comedian, the guy who goes around to clubs around the country and makes people laugh. Little by little, I started getting approached because of the type of material that I was doing in my standup act. I was doing material about computers, business, meetings, and that kind of stuff. I would have people come up to me afterward and invite me down to their Christmas party, their golf outing, or little stuff like that. That snowballed. The more shows that I did for business groups, the more I got noticed by people who booked those kinds of events on a much larger scale. I was getting approached by corporate speakers bureaus, corporate booking agents, and meeting planners. It is a word of mouth marketing,

Pilates is the path forward for many people who have been active and are experiencing back and shoulder issues. Shane Rhoads of Movement Med talks to us about his journey and how he became interested in the field of Pilates. This interest fueled his desire to start a business encompassing Pilates and other forms of self-care that help people to “grow older with gusto!” Tune in as he also explores the importance of finding qualified instructors to maximize the benefits of Pilates, especially if you are already a senior. — Watch the episode here Listen to the podcast here The Beauty Of Pilates With Shane K. Rhoads Welcome to Growing Older with Gusto. We have another exciting guest who's growing older with Gusto and helping others to do that too. My personal experience as I'm growing older is the need for Pilates to keep my back in tip-top shape so I can enjoy doing some of the activities I love, like biking, swimming, and playing golf. Our guest is Shane Keith Rhoads. He's a professional trainer who turned his background in education into a Pilates, rehab, and medical exercise studio and a business, which he calls Med Movement. The business that he started in 2017 is unique in that he has created an environment for people to experience Pilates and other types of rehab exercises. He has a lot to share about his evolution, so let's bring him on. Welcome to the show, Shane. Thanks for having me. Getting Into Pilates My pleasure. In talking to you, I know you started in a way that is probably a little bit more unconventional than somebody starting a Pilates studio. Could you talk about how you got into the business of integrating body and mind? I'll go backward to tell you where the first light-up moment is. I've been in fitness for probably over 30 years. I started when I was a sophomore in college at Goodyear Fitness Center and Corporate Fitness. My major was Exercise Physiology and then Sports Medicine, working with athletes. I was an athlete at the time, so I was enamored with working with athletes. In grad school, I was a strength and conditioning coach for college sports teams and an athletic trainer, the guys who take care of injuries and tape ankles. I had to put a lot of hours in and I had very limited time. I asked them, “Can I count my weight room strength coach hours as sports medicine hours?” They're like, “No, but if you become the last-phase rehab guy in the weight room, we'll count those hours.” I fell in love with working with people in that last transition from injury to full health again. That kept me still in sports. I went into professional baseball after that and had a private business after that. I also did some other things. At some point, I remember reading an article about Pilates. What year was that, would you say? 1989, I was in school. The reason I asked is that I'm hooked on Pilates. I know from talking to people that Pilates has evolved from when Joseph Pilates introduced it to the world, from being classical and helping dancers to being part of a rehab program. I was curious. 1996, 1997, I was looking for some new avenue and I came across an article. As I was saying, Pilates was starting to be in the public eye, but more from celebrities doing it, and it was on TV. I saw this article on rehabilitation in the Pilates setting, Brent Anderson and Polestar Pilates. It clicked. It's like this system and equipment can allow me to do almost everything with someone. It's a long-term longevity-type exercise routine. It's non-impactful. It works on all the mobility and stability you need, and there's a lot of variety. It's something you can do for a lifetime. That appealed to me because I can help rehab people, or help them with their medical conditions and get fit. I can keep doing it until they're 100 years old. We have a client here who's 96. When did that client start doing Pilates? I never asked her. She works with one of the other instructors. It appealed to me in that...

The Renaissance was a time of boundless curiosity and exploration, and nowhere is this spirit more alive today than in the world of hospitality, where a new breed of Renaissance Man is redefining the guest experience. In this episode, Gail Zugerman interviews Joao Rodrigues, a true modern Renaissance Man. Buckle up as we soar through his diverse passions, from piloting airplanes for TAP Airlines to building the innovative Silent Living hospitality experience. He’s also the visionary behind Herdade No Tempo, a regenerative farm where he's cultivating a future focused on sustainability. Tune in and discover how Joao is redefining success and paving the way for a brighter future. — Watch the episode here https://youtu.be/qhM-IedAEmk Listen to the episode here Renaissance Man: A Journey Of Passion, Purpose, And Preservation With Joao Rodrigues Introduction How does being an airline pilot, a hospitality creator, and a regenerative farm owner, all connect to the show? We will find out with our guests. I’m Gail Zugerman, host of the show which is dedicated to showcasing the benefits of growing older in a positive and productive way. Our guest is Joao Rodrigues and he is what I consider a Renaissance man. He’s a pilot at TAP Airlines, a national Portugal airline. He is the Founder of Silent Living hospitality projects in Portugal and elsewhere. He’s also the Founder of a regenerative farm called Herdade No Tempo, where he is building a home community. Aside from all this, he’s a strong family man with five children and a wife and is passionate about life. We have so many things to talk with him about, so let’s dive in. — Welcome to the show, Joao. Thank you very much. It’s a pleasure to be here with you. Thank you. You’re involved in so many projects. I wanted you to begin by having you tell our readers a little bit about yourself. What’s been driving you the past few years? I’m Joao. I’m in my 50s years old. I see myself essentially as a father of five kids and as a husband. I’m very person-orientated. My family is on top of everything. Everything that I do has a purpose which is looking and giving good examples to my family and to my kids, especially to future generations as well. I started off doing a degree in management and economics when I finished school. After that, I wanted to become a pilot because I was passionate about flying. My father was a Captain in TAP for several years. I thought there was this connection with aircrafts, the machines, flying, and the world, and knowing lots of different cultures and different countries around the world. I then did my training up in Prestwick in Scotland, where it took me a year and a half roughly to get my airline pilot license then I joined TAP. I've been in TAP for many years. It’s been years since I've been a captain. First of all, I was a captain on short-haul European flights. Since the last few years, I’ve been flying long haul, which means that most of the routes of TAP fly to Brazil. Probably to something like ten different destinations in Brazil. We fly to Africa, Angola, Mozambique, and Mexico as well as Cancun. We fly to the States to five different destinations. We fly to the States where I will be able to meet when I come to Chicago. What is your favorite place to fly to? To be honest, what I like is to have a different roster, which means that you don’t always fly to the same places, which ends up being quite good. Generally, I have two flights to Brazil, one to Africa and one to the States every month. That’s roughly my roster, which is great because I get to catch up with lots of friends that I have all over. Also get to understand different cultures, foods, and music. For me, all of that is nice and important. We also have something which is basically in the Northern hemisphere when it’s winter time, it’s summertime in the Southern hemisphere, which is very nice because you end up always catching a little bit of sun. Vitamin D. You’re getting...

Who doesn't love a good James Bond thriller? In this episode, our guests, after spending over 50 years in the high-tech business, decided they wanted to return to their passion. What is their passion? Their passion is spy movies. Dan Silvestri and Tom Pivvato did their research and they discovered that most sites are dedicated solely to James Bond movies. They kept exploring and found out by examining other spy movies that had been made that so many of them are interrelated. Their curiosity led them to discover things about the origins of spy movies, common themes, scenes that you see within different movies, and the influence each spy movie has on others in this genre. They started a podcast called Spy Movie Navigator, and this podcast is designed to enhance your viewing experience when you watch different movies. It was created as a landing pad for people interested in spy movies, from the classics to current releases. There's so much to talk about in this episode so tune in! — Watch the episode here https://youtu.be/6Ez6fNzjH-o?si=ICE3OxN6tKHvFYCf Listen to the podcast here Spy Movie Navigator: Cracking The Spy Movie Code With Dan Silvestri And Tom Pivvato Who doesn't love a good James Bond thriller? In this episode, our guests after spending over 50 years in the high-tech business decided they wanted to return to their passion. What is their passion? Their passion is spy movies. They did their research and they discovered that most sites are dedicated solely to James Bond movies. They kept exploring and found out by examining other spy movies that had been made that so many of them are interrelated. Their curiosity led them to discover things about the origins of spy movies, common themes, scenes that you see within different movies, and the influence each spy movie has on others in this genre. They started a podcast called Spy Movie Navigator, and this podcast is designed to enhance your viewing experience when you watch different movies. It was created as a landing pad for people interested in spy movies, from the classics to current releases. There's so much to talk about in this episode so let's get started. Welcome to the show, Dan and Tom. We're very happy to be there. Gail, it’s fantastic to be here. Thanks for inviting us. I'm excited to talk to you and learn more about this passion of yours. First of all, tell the readers what ignited your passion for delving into the genre of spy movies. I'll go first on that one. First of all, we have a website called SpyMovieNavigator.com and the podcast show is called Cracking the Code of Spy Movies! It went back to high school. I was at St. Ignatius High School, and my friends and I decided when Goldfinger came out that we were going to cut classes and sneak downtown and go see Goldfinger. It was the third James Bond movie ever out. We had a system in the class where the teachers took a roll call and they put the names on a piece of paper. They clipped it outside the door and then someone would come and pick it up. If your name was on the list, you were in the class. If it wasn't, you were absent. A friend of ours, our mission was to go downtown and see Goldfinger. Our inside guy was going to put our names on the lists for each of our classes and everything was going to be great. We went downtown and saw Goldfinger. It was terrific. I went back to school the next day, and we were in detention. Our friend chickened out. We were in detention for about a week, but it was worth it. That's got me started on the spy movies and James Bond in particular. How about you? For me, it was back in spy movies and the Columbo TV show. Columbo's not a spy, but it got me going on the genre of it. However, when I looked at things like The Spy Who Loved Me, which was the first Bond movie that I saw in the theater, it was like, “This is different. I like this type of movie.” That helped me with that. Why we started delving into them other than being fans is that we...

Struggling to care for aging parents while juggling your own family? Today, Bina Coleman discusses the challenges of being part of the sandwich generation and the importance of finding support groups and resources. She also talks about the future of Parent Projects, a company that helps families stay organized and communicate with each other about caring for elderly loved ones, including the use of artificial intelligence to help families better care for their aging parents. Don't miss out! Learn how to make caring for your aging parents a little easier. — WATCH THE EPISODE HERE https://youtu.be/znWIZXCDGQE?si=j7SRklwvmjVtgt0S Listen to the podcast here How Parent Projects Can Help You Care For Elderly Loved Ones With Bina Colman Hello and welcome to the podcast, Growing Older with Gusto. My name is Gail Zugerman, and my husband, Charlie, likes to joke that his name is Gusto. But actually, this podcast is created to show people in younger generations how to grow older in a positive and productive way by having guests on the show who are doing just that or helping others to do just that. Today, we have an episode about the sandwich generation, and I don't necessarily mean those of you who grew up eating subs or hoagies or Philadelphia cheesesteaks, whatever. So, our guest today is a younger woman named Bina Coleman, who's going to tell us how she started her business out of seeing a need in the marketplace for balancing a full-time career, raising young kids, and having elderly parents who had health care needs of their own. It is a juggling act, one that's been addressed by the media, but Bina Coleman saw an opportunity, and she's very busy with her own life. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona, and she managed to find the time to create her original business, which was called Compassionate Callers, and it's recently morphed into Parent Projects, which she'll talk about. But it's a business targeted to those people who need support with numerous activities that are busy, and her business was set up to really help people who are in the sandwich generation have peace of mind and know that their elderly parents are living a good older life while they maintain theirs. She also has a degree in gerontology and over a decade of experience in the field of elderly care. So, I'd like to get started; she has so much to tell us. She has a great story. So welcome to the show, Bina. Thank you for that introduction. It was very good. It was a great introduction. It's all true. There are so many of us. Right, so start us out. Tell our listeners about your story, about your background, and your personal experiences that led to the development of Parent Projects. I grew up here in Phoenix, and my parents actually owned the first four franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. I was in sixth grade, so in 1996, they were literally one of the first home care agencies in Arizona or Phoenix, and now there's over 500, I want to say. Growing up, this is all we heard: the elder world, the seniors, the caregivers, so my brother and I just knew this world when none of our friends did. The Sandwich-Generation Caregiver When it was time for me to get my degree, it was kind of a no-brainer to do gerontology, though it's extremely niche, and there's not many of us. But fast forward, I am married, I have two little kids; they're still little. So, even back when my father was living in a memory care facility and then passed, they were even younger. But I truly became a sandwich generation caregiver because I was working full time. I was doing sales for home care, home health, and hospice, and I was also visiting my dad, like I said, in a memory care unit. We were lucky enough to place them in a beautiful place in Scottsdale, so that was wonderful, truthfully. But, you know, I'd show up with both kids and just think there's something missing in this continuum of care for everybody, memory or not, or whatever maybe they're going through. I...

Host Gail Zugerman interviews Burt Fendelman a practicing attorney in NYC dedicated to aiding collectors, heirs and others evaluate art work and collectibles for the purpose of understanding the tax implications of gifting or selling of their treasures. He talks with Gail about how having passion for your work as well as staying connected with others of all ages is essential to growing older with gusto. Burt Fendelman is a gregarious and energetic 86 year old living in NYC. He began his career as a tax attorney and got bored with it so changed to a different type of law practice. This enabled him to work in the area of the arts which is and remains a personal passion. He chats with us on the show about how important it is to maintain personal connections and create new ones as we grow older. His favorite thing to do when growing up was getting to meet new people and not being afraid of new people. Lose your fear of aging by not thinking about it! Realize that your body is a machine and needs to be serviced. Also, the most important thing is to keep your mind busy. Volunteer and give back. Being alone is apparently equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes a day. Learn how to listen and share your experiences with friends.

Talks about health, fitness, motivation, mental fitness, and nutrition tips. Convert Negative Energy To Fuel A Positive Future Linda Steele, author of “Nerves of Steele” is public speaker, and fitness expert who through her writing shows how people can reinvent themselves from any trauma in the past and grow older with gusto! She teaches an approach using a holistic/ and body-mind connection. Her belief is the past doesn’t need to define you. Her approach is through clean eating and taking care of your body. Linda’s book, “Nerves of Steele” a memoir is touching! Video version above podcast audio version below

Gail Zugerman host of Growing Older with Gusto speaks with Jeff Williams, Chief Coach for Bizstarters and creator of the Virtual Incubator Business Startup Program. If you're thinking that you are not quite ready to retire and want to strike out on an entrepreneurial venture of your own, listen to this podcast episode.

Our guest Wendy Green is host of the podcast “Hey Boomer” created to help baby boomers find a purpose, stay engaged in the world, and increase their confidence to recreate their lives or see their dreams come alive. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, Wendy started her podcast after a long career in training and development with the desire to continue to stay relevant, and to make a difference in peoples lives.

Born blind, Katherine Schneider of Eau Claire, Wisconsin talks with host Gail Zugerman about growing older with gusto while living with a disability. Her physical challenge did not deter her from becoming a clinical psychologist, writing four books, and getting involved in several philanthropical ventures. While determined to lead the good life herself, she has also managed to clear a path for others by making sure that people with disabilities have access to everything they need.