Crow's Feet: Life As We Age

Mariann Aalda is an American actress, a performance artist, a stand-up comedian, and an age-full evangelist. You may know her from old ABC soap operas like Edge of Night or, from street theater in New York City, from shows like Designing Women or The Bay, or a host of commercials. Mariann is a 50 year member of the Actors’ Guild and has not only witnessed but been an important voice in the transformation of the acting industry for black actors. She has studied and practiced hypnosis and respects the power of your words to influence your life. Now she styles herself an Agefull Evangelist and an Anti-Aging Activist. Mariann’s website: mariannaaldainherprime.com Where do you know her from? Check her IMDB page. Links to her activities Mariann on TEDx Her Age Disruptor column at Crunchytales.com Support the show

A Crows Feet Life As We Age Extra featuring Patricia Ross (87, psychotherapist, still working and author of "From There to Here: An Alphabet Memoir" and "From Here to Beyond.”) Here’s Patricia reading her Crows Feet article “Why Shame?” or the embarrassment of looking old. And a link to the story in case you’d like to read along with her narration. Support the show

Right in time for Valentine's Day gift-giving, The Turquoise Butterfly is Dr. Atkins' sensitive, heartwarming portrayal of the role a grandparent can play in a young one's life — from helping them overcome anxiety to facing loss, while transforming into the version of themselves they dream of becoming. It's a great opportunity to share by reading aloud to any young child with whom you have a close relationship. Dale Atkins bio: (cribbed from her website) Based in New York City, Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist with more than 40 years as a relationship expert focusing on families, wellness, managing stress, and living a balanced, meaningful life. Author of seven books and many chapters, articles, and journals for popular and professional audiences, Dale is a featured speaker who lectures and leads seminars worldwide. Dale has appeared regularly on NBC’s TODAY and CNN, including her recent interview on TODAY featuring her new book The Turquoise Butterfly. Dale has a private psychology practice in New York City and has been a member of, and advisor to several nonprofit boards, including Jumpstart for Young Children, from which she recently retired after serving twenty-two years, since its founding. She has two children and six grandchildren, and lives in Connecticut. Show notes & Links: Dr. Dale Atkins, website: https://www.drdaleatkins.com/ Purchase The Turquoise Butterfly at your favorite bookseller, online at Mascot Books or on Amazon Watch Dr. Atkins' recent TODAY show interview here. Watch for host Jan M. Flynn's first-in-a-series fantasy novel for readers 8 and up, Griffin Speaker, releasing May 5, 2026 from Disney-Hyperion Books and available for preorder now. Support the show

After more than 20 surgeries for skin cancer, avid sailor and Wall Street Journal reporter John Koten had had enough. There had to be something he could do to start taking better care of his skin. That started John’s “Great Skincare Experiment.” Under the direction of a dermatologist, John went on a six-month journey, experimenting with top-rated skincare products and interviewing experts in the field to find out what works and what doesn’t on his skin. In this conversation with Nancy Franklin, John offers the scientific and personal advice he learned to help men and women care for aging skin. Support the show

“Gender was to the 20th century what age will be to the 21st: a massive demographic and societal shift that changes… everything.” – Avivah Wittenberg-Cox In this episode, international thought leader, author, speaker, corporate consultant, and life coach Avivah Wittenberg-Cox reveals the importance of “rebranding” aging: How demographic shifts, the rise of older adults, and an aging workforce have brought us to this unprecedented time in history. In conversation with, Melinda Blau, Avivah proposes a “four-quarter life” framework to help us rethink ageist assumptions. She details the task of each approximately 25 years: growing (Q1), achieving (Q2), becoming (Q3), and harvesting (Q4). As we navigate these territories and encounter new terrain, each of us must become a “skilled transitionist,” which involves using our brains, seeking love and connection in all forms, weathering change, and learning how to make good choices. An advocate of lifelong learning and intergenerational support, Avivah attended Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI) to spur her own Q3 journey and has since investigated a range of midlife transition programs. Here she tells how they broaden our horizons and can help us transition into new chapters. For more: Read Avivah’s Elderberries newsletter on Substack, learn more about Avivah’s history and innovative projects on her website, and listen to her “4-Quarter Lives Podcast here. Interested in the midlife educational programs Avivah talks about in this episode? Check out Series (Season) 10 of her podcast, beginning on September 24, 2025 with an exploration of Harvard’s ALI program. And here’s a sampling of Avivah’s writing on lifelong learning: “Higher Ed Meets Longevity: The Global Rise Of Midlife Education: Feeling Like Learning Something New?” Elderberries, January 26, 2026 “Old School: Midlife Transition Programs Take Off,” Forbes, September 28, 2022· For more on Melinda Blau’s work, Avivah interviews her in “Learning From Our Elders,” on Season 9 of her 4-Quarter Lives podcast, June 18, 2025. The book that inspired Avivah to call Melinda her "old lady” is on Amazon or wherever you buy books: The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter. The Crows Feet original theme music was composed and performed by Rand Bishop. Support the show

See if your New Year resolutions and reflections are in sync with your friends at Crows Feet in this special bonus episode. And with it, our best wishes for brighter days and new adventures ahead. Support the show

“Part of what I found were cultural norms that view the second half of life as being as important and even more important than the first half of life, in terms of what you can do for yourself and for society,“ said Ken Stern, in conversation with host Jane Trombley. Ken, author of Healthy to 100: How Strong Ties Lead to Long Lives (link in notes, below) explored the “culture of longevity” in Asia — Singapore, Korea, and Japan — as well as communities in Spain and Italy. An expression of those cultural norms, he noted, was found in Singapore, where “they view social connection and social health as being critical parts of public health,” with an emphasis on multigenerational housing predicated on the importance of family ties. In Korea, he explored the cultural importance of lifelong learning, codified in the national constitution in 1990. In Japan, Ken found the creation of “ essentially a second work culture for older workers that's much less about prestige, and more about finding work that brings you into contact with other people.” Ken is a gifted storyteller, bringing each region to life in the context of what contributes to healthy and engaged aging — social connections built around housing, employment, lifelong learning, and a rich community life. Links: Ken’s most recent book: Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives “I’m 62. Stop Telling Me I’m Old” by Ken Stern New York Times, Opinion Nov. 27, 2025 The Longevity Project Ken Stern, Founder and Chair Stanford Center on Longevity Stanford University Support the show Support the show

Crime Reporter Michael Wilson of The New York Times joins us to share how he narrowly avoided losing thousands of dollars to an online scam. Seniors over 60 are targeted more often than any other age group, making his story both timely and essential. In this episode, Michael explains the red flags he spotted, how scams are evolving, and what you can do to protect yourself. A must‑listen for anyone navigating today’s digital world. Michael’s journalistic insight, combined with his firsthand brush with deception, makes this conversation both eye-opening and empowering. This episode is designed to inform and reassure that awareness is the most vigorous defense. Whether you’ve encountered suspicious emails, phone calls, or online offers, this will help you spot the red flags and stay one step ahead. Tune in for a candid discussion that blends real-world reporting with practical guidance. Here are some informative links Michael Wilson’s article “I’ve Written About Loads of Scams. This One Almost Got Me” was published on September 18, 2025. You can read it directly on the NYT site here: New York Times – Michael Wilson on nearly being scammed. Here’s the link to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is where you can file a complaint if you’ve been scammed. Plus, there is a lot of resource information available on the site: Home Page - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) And here’s the guest link to a story I posted a few years ago on Internet Scams: https://medium.com/crows-feet/seniors-what-you-dont-know-about-cybersecurity-will-scare-the-crap-out-of-you-dc34944d1f90?sk=6f6915b32a2f9dcd4fd8b241a4259111 Support the show

We’re coming upon the season of giving — the period when Americans’ generosity pours forth. According to Giving USA, about 40% of the $590 billion given to charity each year occurs in December. In this episode, Crows Feet explores an innovative charitable giving platform, Giving Multiplier. It combines heartfelt, personal donations with making it far easier to have an impact on some of the world’s most pressing issues: global health and poverty, animal welfare, and climate change. The Giving Multiplier concept of “bundling donations” emerged from charitable giving research at Harvard University by Dr. Joshua Greene and Dr. Lucius Caviola. They found people were incentivized to give when they could combine their personal interests with global concerns. Giving Multiplier adds to your gifts to both the local and global charities by up to 25% (30% for Crow’s Feet listeners), depending on the allocation. Listen to this interactive episode, then return to it on your laptop to follow along with the tutorial. It can be found at 8 minutes in. Links and further information: www.givingmultiplier.org/CROW For more information about Dr. Joshua Greene and Dr. Lucius Caviola If you’d like to inquire about supporting Giving Multiplier, please contact Matt Coleman, at matt@givingmultiplier.org And check out the insightful daily perspective by Crows Feet writers at www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com. Support the show Support the show

Rear Admiral Sandy Adams, USN, Ret., served 34 years in the U.S. Navy, leading both active duty and reserve units across global theaters. She commanded five Navy Reserve units, deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, and advised Afghan defense leaders during Operation Enduring Freedom. Her final role was Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, overseeing 19,000 personnel. As a reservist, Adams also held various senior civilian roles in defense contracting and supply chain management. Adams earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College. Retired from the military, Adams is currently active with the Daughters of the American Revolution, El Redondo, CA Chapter, The Military Women’s Memorial, and is a Member of the Chairman’s Flag Council for the Museum of the Surface Navy. On our podcast, Admiral Adams shares her stories about the challenges of being a woman in the Navy, while also expressing her passion for all those currently on active duty and veterans. Support the show

Try looking at any familiar object — say, a chair — and then drawing it freehand. Now, turn the chair sideways and draw it again. Chances are the second drawing, once you turn it right side up again, is fresher and more accurate. It's free of the baked-in assumptions you have about the whole concept of "chair." What if we could do the same thing with aging? That creative exercise is the exact one that prompted the title of social gerontologist and journalist Jeanette Leardi's book Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older. Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Jeanette Leardi, and come away with a refreshed outlook on living our elder years with purpose, vitality, and joy. Jeanette Leardi bio: Jeanette Leardi is the author of the book Ageing Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older. She is a social gerontologist, community educator, writer, editor, public speaker, and aging wellness leader with a passion for older adult empowerment. She finds personal fulfillment helping Boomers and older generations identify and share their wisdom with others. As a journalist she's worked with Newsweek, Life, People, Condé Nast Traveler, Sesame Workshop and The Charlotte Observer, as well as Next Avenue and 3rd Act Magazines. She holds presentations and classes on ageing-related topics, and has been a guest on numerous podcasts. Links: Jeanette's website: jeanetteleardi.com Buy her book, Ageing Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older on Amazon This episode includes Music by Juan Sanchez from Pixabay Support the show

“Make some plans and live!” say the ‘traveling nanas,’ viral sensations Ellie Hamby, an international documentary photographer, and Dr. Sandy Hazelip, a geriatrician. The two met 25 years ago, becoming fast friends and intrepid travelers. On this edition of the Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age podcast, Hazelip and Hamby discuss their re-creation of Philieas Fogg’s Around the World in 80 Days journey--in their 80s--while sharing tips on traveling, their philosophies on friendship, life, and living fearlessly, as well their new book, Here We Go, a guide to getting out of your comfort zone, seeing the world and making a difference. Hosted by Nancy Franklin. The Nanas book, Here We Go Support The Show and keep our episodes coming. Support the show

In this eye-opening episode of Crow's Feet, journalist and thought leader Carl Honoré explores the complex world of status—how it shapes our lives, changes as we age, and can be reimagined for greater meaning. Drawing from his 5-part BBC series and personal experiences, Carl reveals how status is not just about professional achievements, but about human connection, community, and personal growth. Key insights include: Why status is fundamentally about respect given, not taken Carl challenges listeners to look beyond traditional status markers and embrace a more holistic, compassionate view of personal value—one that celebrates contribution, wisdom, and human connection. For more information about Carl Honoré and his work, check out his website, where you'll find links to his books, podcasts, and videos. And check out the insightful daily perspective by Crows Feet writers at www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com. Support the show

Betsy Allen talks with Carol Shamon about her divorce, the challenges she faced, what surprised her in good and not-so-good ways, and finding love again. To read more from Carol, visit the following links: On Substack: https://carolshamon.substack.com/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carol_shamon/ Support the show

With the rate of divorce happening faster than it is for any other demographic, an increasing number of adults over 50 are navigating the uncharted waters of singlehood. It can be a challenging ride as they adjust after a so-called “Gray Divorce.” For some, it’s a rough journey. Others cruise toward a new era of self-discovery and reinvention. But even under the best and most mutual of arrangements, it can be tough to keep things on an even keel. Host Betsy Allen dissects the aftermath of Gray Divorce with clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and author Dr. Judith Rabinor, including how to optimize chances for a positive way forward. You'll also hear from four older divorcees on the challenges they faced and the wisdom they gained from their experiences. This episode is the second of a two-part special on Gray Divorce presented by the Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age podcast. If you’d like to hear Part I (Split Decision: Busting the Gray Divorce), you can listen here. For more information on Dr. Judith Rabinor, go to: judithruskayrabinorphd.com/ Book: Befriending Your Ex After Divorce: Making Life Better For You, Your Kids, and, Yes, Your Ex Support the show

While overall divorce rates are falling, one group is bucking the trend. For those over 50, divorce rates have doubled or even tripled (depending on what source you consult) since the 1990s. So, when Crow’s Feet wants to know what’s causing the spike in divorces for older adults and how more couples might stay together, who are we gonna call? A divorce-buster, of course. Relationship therapist, author, and educator Michele Weiner-Davis, author of the best-selling book Divorce Busting: A Step-by-Step Approach to Making Your Marriage Loving Again, joins host Betsy Allen to talk about the issues, both large and small, that tear relationships apart and how older couples can start to think differently, communicate better, and regain those loving feelings. Even if you’re not considering divorce, Michele has advice that can make any relationship stronger and more resilient. If you’d like to read/hear more from Michele Weiner-Davis, visit the following links: https://www.divorcebusting.com/ Book: Divorce Busting: A Step-by-Step Approach to Making Your Marriage Loving Again TheMarriageIntensive.com Book: Healing from Infidelity: Sanity-Saving, Expert Advice for Ending the Affair's Grip on Your Marriage NOW! (her new audiobook); Link to the ebook; Read the first chapter Book: The Sex-Starved Marriage: Boosting Your Marriage Libido Video: TEDx talk- The Sex-Starved Marriage Video: The Walkaway Wife Syndrome Support the show Support the show

Jean Anne Feldeisen hosts Dr. Kerry Burnight, a gerontologist, researcher and writer on a mission to “Make Older Better.” After decades of work with aging adults, and studying the things that go wrong in old age, including the ageism that hampers change, Kerry is determined to spend the rest of her career helping “fortify” people for old age. Or in her words, aging need not be “the downhill slide that people believe it is." Her recently released book, Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half. is based on decades-long research: Join Jean Anne, a retired social worker, as she and Kerry discuss how older adults can take specific actions to fortify ourselves against the inevitable problems, while creating a more joyous life as we age. Kerry’s website: https://drkerryburnight.com/ On Instagram: @the_gerontologist Kerry’s book, Joy Span, is now available online and wherever books are sold. Quote from the book: “What struck me most was the radical differences in how people experienced their own aging process. For some, it is a frustrating, degrading, painful trajectory of ever-increasing decline. For others, there is visible delight, spirituality, and joy in occupying their eighth, ninth, and tenth decades.” Support the show

Employment to age 65 used to be a given. If not a career run at the same company, non-profit, or government agency, a worker armed with a skillset and expertise honed over decades could be reasonably assured that the acquired knowledge remained marketable. Recently, that assumption has been turned on its head, especially in the technology sector. But there is also opportunity. Here are three stories about being laid off at 55+ and finding the “what’s next.” Krista was a 25-year veteran in software management at a major healthcare insurance company. She was months away from eligibility for Medicare when her job was suddenly sent to India. Her “what’s next” was a scramble for short-term health coverage. Mike was trained in User Experience (UX), attaining a master’s degree in the field in 2004. After 18 years, he was laid off in his late 50s. His “what’s next”? Broaden his skill set, strategically update his resume, and pledge loyalty as he seeks his next employer. Lee, at 71, brings a long history of career adaptation. He transitioned from sales to technical research and writing in his late 60s; he now works in AI content curation for a Global Top 10 tech corporation. Link Mike’s Medium article: https://medium.com/crows-feet/i-may-never-find-a-full-time-job-again-one-year-update-e73fbc51af3f Support the show

At 68, Lee Bentch doesn’t fit the stereotype. He’s still working, and after his day job, he cooks dinner for his five grandchildren and daughter. Lee is one of more than a million grandparents helping to raise their grandkids, and he’s also a Crow’s Feet writer. In this episode he tells us how he manages to plan and cook healthy meals seven days a week. Lee is interviewed by Jean Feldeisen, another Crow’s Feet writer, therapist and grandmother. Join her as she discovers how the multigeneration household enriches Lee’s life, and how the grandchildren’s presence, filled with love and caring, extended his wife’s life. This episode originally aired June 15, 2022. Support the show

Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Lenore Guido, Bereavement Coordinator for a New Jersey hospice program, who has a private counseling practice focusing on compassionate grief care. Grief is something we often shy away from thinking about, but it’s also something we’ll all experience. Lenore, who is drawing on more than 45 years’ experience in the field to write a book on healing from loss, shares a perspective both clear-eyed and hopeful. There is, she says, life after loss — and even joy. Support the show