Zestful Aging

I stopped dying years ago. The expense, the time, the toxic chemicals– just didn’t seem worth it. And the gray streaks are fine with me, although they are coarser than my original color which can cause them to go funny directions. Like in my eyes. When I’m on zoom. Dr. Gaby Longsworth is a scientist and a biotech/pharmaceutical patent attorney who, after chemically straightening her hair for years, decided there had to be a healthier way to style and manage her naturally curly hair. She used her scientific background to study hair and received a practitioner's certificate through the International Association of Trichologists. Find out more here: https://absolutelyeverythingcurly.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com.

Have you ever wondered how your personality affects how you age? Do some kinds of personalities age better than others? What is the effect of having a sense of purpose? Patrick ​Hill is an Associate Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and focuses on understanding how dispositional traits predict and shape trajectories of healthy aging. His current research looks at how individuals explore options for and ultimately commit to a purpose for life, and how having a sense of purpose predicts important life outcomes. In addition, he examines the lifespan development of dispositional gratitude and forgiveness, as well as how these traits influence relationship outcomes. His research program considers these questions with the intent of promoting healthy development from adolescence into older adulthood. Find out more at https://artsci.wustl.edu/faculty-staff/patrick-hill Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Many years ago, I interviewed Sophie Poldermans, author of “Seducing and Killing Nazis”. Her book documented the experiences of three Dutch girls who became resistance fighters in WWII. I’ve followed her work over the years and when I was planning my bucket list trip to Holland this April I made plans to meet her. She’d just published a follow up book, which as of this writing is only available in Dutch. Sophie and I met at the cemetery where one of the girls, Hannie Schaft, is buried. She was executed on the dunes beside the cemetery just three weeks before the war ended. Sophie laid flowers on her grave. It was a poignant experience. Find out more about Sophie and her work at SophiePoldermans.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com.

Gregg LeFevre is a celebrated artist who has completed almost 200 public art commissions in the streets and sidewalks all over America and overseas. His unique works of bronze reliefs set in the paving have been reviewed in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe and dozens of other publications. When Covid shut down the public art business, at the age of 73, LeFevre started a podcast called “The Compulsive Storyteller”. The show chronicles his life with short true personal stories. The episodes are addictive, Gregg always manages to get himself into trouble, and you have to keep listening to find out how he will dig himself out again. He likes to say that “The Compulsive Storyteller Podcast” proves that life can be stranger than fiction. Find out more at TheCompulsiveStoryteller.com Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com.

Have you ever noticed that the home medical equipment industry is outdated, ugly and more than a little depressing? Dr. Valerie Ulene and Byrdie Lifson Pompan are two women who are on a mission to change that. Their company, Boom Home Medical, helps people care for themselves with dignity by radically reinventing this industry with beautifully designed products that fit perfectly into your life and home. This urinal is so pretty and functional that customers use it as a vase! Find more here: BoomHomeMedical.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Do you have a story about how your grandmother was an important part of your life? Many of us do. The importance of grandmothers can be seen all around the world, and they can be a key to social change. The Grandmother Collective is an initiative focused on raising the profile of grandmothers (and elders) as essential contributors to social change. They work with organizations to empower grandmothers and older women. Their goal is to amplify their vital role in collaborative, intergenerational approaches to community and family development. Find out more at GrandmotherCollective.org. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Carl Landau was a niche magazine publisher / entrepreneur / event organizer. He launched and sold 5 national niche magazines and two shows: Computer Language and AI Expert the first microcomputer magazines for professional programmers; Brew Your Own and WineMaker, the leading craft beer and wine hobby magazines; and BrewPub, a trade magazine. He hosts the popular podcast “I Used To Be Somebody” and authored “Pickleball for Dummies”. Find out more about Carl at https://pickleballmediahq.com Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

You may have heard that Finland has been named the happiest country for 6 years in a row. What is their secret? And how can we learn from them? Heli Mende, the head of Visit Finland North America, gives us some insight on why Finlanders are so content with their lives. Find out more: visitFinland.com Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Michael Clinton is the former president and publishing director of Hearst Publications, which includes Cosmopolitan, Esquire, O The Oprah Magazine, Redbook and Woman’s Day, He is also an accomplished photographer, marathon runner, philanthropist, author and private pilot. His new book “ROAR Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before It’s Too Late)” is a real treat. ROAR is an acronym that outlines an empowering path for embracing your future. Find out more at ​​https://roarforward.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Veteran filmmaker Julia Verdin is an accomplished producer and award-winning Director. She has established herself as one of Hollywood’s leading independent producers, with over 36 critically acclaimed feature films produced to date. She founded and has been running Rough Diamond Productions since 1995. Julia is passionate about raising awareness on critical social issues through the powerful medium of film and encourages filmmakers to think about making content that contributes to a better world. Her brand new film, “No Address”, looks at the plight of homelessness all over the US. Find out more: https://www.roughdiamondproductions.net/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Eldera is a health tech company built as a global platform for wisdom sharing and intergenerational connection. They are on a mission to unlock the time and wisdom of 1 billion elders around the world as a new natural resource for all generations to thrive. Eldera is the opposite of eldercare; they believe that older adults want and need to care for the next generation. They stand for bringing back the Era of the Elders and have been featured by Washington Post, The Atlantic, TIME, AARP and more. Find out more Eldera.ai Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Meg LaPorte co-created Art Against Ageism as an alliance and media platform for the purpose of identifying, amplifying, and creating artistic endeavors that confront and tackle damaging stereotypes and misperceptions about age, older adults, and being older. Find out more about their creative (and humorous) initiatives: https://artagainstageism.org/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Today’s interview is with the “queen of natural wine”, Alice Feiring. Among her many awards is the coveted James Beard Award for wine journalism. Alice calls herself “a whistleblower” and has made herself unpopular with some of the wine manufacturers who add chemicals and even sawdust to enhance the taste. When she's not writing, she is a frequent lecturer and panelist on all things wine. Her career has been focused on promoting and appreciating natural wines all over the world. Her latest book is a memoir: To Fall in Love, Drink This: A Wine Writer's Memoir. Find out more: https://thefeiringline.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Maria Teresa Ferretti is a biomedical researcher, TED-x speaker, co-founder of the Women's Brain Project and breast cancer survivor. She spoke with us about bridging immunology research with gender medicine. Her organization studies how the immune system affects the brain, and how to develop an effective therapeutic plan that’s also based on the gender of the patient–one size does not fit all. FInd out more at https://www.womensbrainproject.com/

Anne Phinney is a retired teacher who is living her dream in the Adirondacks. She runs Moose River Farm, where she introduces the public to her collection of beloved animals. One of her offerings is to walk the llamas on the nature trails around the farm - “Llama Trekking”. I had the privilege of joining Anne on a cold winter day as a celebration of Zestful Aging Podcast’s fifth anniversary. Find out more at MooseRiverFarm.com.

Randy Tessier is a 72 year old University of Michigan faculty member who organizes the “Geezer happy Hour” – a weekly rock and roll show where everyone is 60 or over. Randy was recently featured in the New York Times, NPR and other major media outlets. Coincidentally, he’s also shared the stage with one of my previous guests, Judy Banker, who was my clinical supervisor in Ann Arbor and whose music is the theme song for this Show. Find out more about Randy here: AnnArborHappyHour@Live.

What do you call that murky time between the ages of 45 and 65? What if that time had its own name and we could understand it as a specific phase, with specific joys, expectations and challenges? Gerontologist and life stage expert, Barbara Waxman, shares some of her insights that will turn everything you think about the future of aging and longevity in the 21st century on its head. Find out more at BarbaraWaxman.com.

I’m thrilled to welcome back today’s guest. Peggy Orenstein, a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and internationally recognized speaker on gender issues, especially those related to teens, sex and relationships. She is the author of eight books, including her latest, Unraveling. Peggy Orenstein’s new book is quite a departure from her usual fare. In it she explores some of the many issues related to aging: empty nest syndrome, her relationship with her aged father, and coming to terms with her identity as an older woman. It’s a real delight. Find out more here: PeggyOrenstein.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Catherine Owens is a nationally recognized Senior Living industry expert and has worked in a variety of roles in Senior Living including leadership, staff training, sales and marketing, and corporate development. Along with her book, “Be Your Own Hero: Senior Living Decisions Simplified”, Catherine has been published and featured in national industry journals, is a regular guest on national and local radio shows and speaks to audiences about understanding and navigating senior living decisions. Her extensive knowledge and in-depth experience of providing for seniors’ needs has created successful outcomes for seniors and their families, helping them make choices that encapsulate the hopes and dreams aimed at living fully rather than just making a change in location. Find out more: https://catherinelowens.com/

Angela Mitchell Hill is an entrepreneur and the owner of Nashville Nails By Na'Sah's, a full service nail salon located in the Nashville International Airport. She actively seeks out products that support marginalized populations and favors environmentally sound beauty products. As a business leader, she values being a force for good. Find out more about her here: https://angelamitchellhill.com Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com