Growing Older with Gusto

   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,

    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.

  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.

  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,

  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 way.

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 Zurgerman, 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.

  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   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 were on a trip and we were up in Piz Gloria,

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. --- 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 thought there's something missing, and that's where Compassionate Callers actually real...

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.

We all know people who could use a lift by wearing clothing that makes them feel like themselves as they grow older. But what if your clothes are difficult to put on or uncomfortable to wear because you do not move as easily or in the same way you did when you were younger? Jimmy Zollo, co-founder & CEO of Joe & Bella, created a fashionable adaptive apparel brand for older adults. A graduate of Indiana University, Jimmy polished his marketing & sales skills with the NBA, WNBA before joining the team at GrubHub, one of Chicago's most successful startups. His role on the team of creating critical partnerships led to GrubHub's expansion nationally & provided a foundation for the company's future sales strategy. Jimmy and his father Peter have collaborated together once before with Collaborata, a market research startup, before  getting together once again to create Joe & Bella. This previous experience allowed them to gain insight into a market they identified through their own personal family need. The result is a fabulous line of contemporary apparel for people with physical or mental limitations. Jimmy talks with host Gail Zugerman about how his past work experiences & personal life experiences combined to spark the idea for Joe & Bella.

Today's guest on the podcast, Benjamin Surmi, is a  younger person devoted to helping people grow older with gusto. His background as an activity director, home repair coordinator, & Lifelong Learning Center Director has given him the tools to create new products, and techniques for empowering people in various stages of life. We talked about his current work which includes: The new era of technology which combines the physical and the technological worldBridging the generation divideThe technique called “Humanitude” developed by a company in France that promotes better care for people that are compromised.  It's based on communication techniques and an online course is available.A description of the Koelsch communityPredictions on how new products and techniques will combine to provide a better quality of life for everyone as we grow older.The importance of lifelong learning Take a walk & listen in as Ben Surmi brings us up to date with modalities and products designed to help us grow older with gusto. You can reach Ben at:  bms@koelschsenior.com Please support us by writing a review on your favorite podcast player.

Adapt or disappear is the mantra of our guest, John Manhold. John is an amazing Renaissance man who at age 102 just finished writing his latest book.  His many interests and his ability to keep transforming allows for him to continue being vital.  He has lived an incredible life, and he shares his secrets for adapting with us in this podcast episode. He has been able to simultaneously work as a research scientist, pathology professor, world lecturer, internationally renowned sculptor, and licensed US Coast Guard Merchant Marine. Also,  he is a survivor of WWII and the Korean War.  Free time finds him golfing and boating. Conversation in this episode: What advice does he give for living to the Century mark? I'll give you a few of his thoughts, and listen to this podcast episode to really learn the secret sauce for living a well-lived life up to, and past 100. A few nuggets: He tells us how his nomadic lifestyle gave him great pleasure and was a stimulating way to live.  Younger people need to study history, moderate their usage of “new-fangled items,” and learn the difference between listening and hearing. The one thing that has given him strength throughout his life is the belief in a higher power.  He jokes on the podcast by saying, “There are no atheists in foxholes!” Today he keeps busy reviewing books for Amazon. His webpage is: www.johnmanhold.com. Please listen to this latest episode  on your favorite podcast platform and watch him on our YouTube Channel: Growing Older With Gusto

Barbara Lewis, a 68-year-old Montreal-based vocalist, talks to us about how singing can be a portal to a happier and more peaceful self as we grow older. She began her singing journey as a child when she entered herself in a contest. We learn the song she sang to win the contest by her singing it for us on this episode. The Podcast continues with her sharing her thoughts on singing and how it brings gusto into your life. Some of the ways: The power of singing; being spurred into action, takes you back and forth in time, gives you hopeSigning wraps one in emotion which is amazingly powerful Today, more people are involved in both group and private singing. She explains the importance of a hormone being released by group singing. The hormone is ocytocin which is a social bonding hormone. The episode delves deeply into how singing helps us grow older: it's never endingGives a transcendent experience to an audience The connection between singing and laughing is explained by Barbra. People who take group or private lessons are given exercises to do which at face value seem a bit goofy. They are asked to meow or bark. The purpose is to help open your ears, and remind you of how the muscles are coordinated. The singer with a half-smile is tricking the brain into thinking they are feeling better. What Wisdom She would Tell Her Younger Self Perfection lies in Being YourselfIt's important to take time each day to be quiet. Her Secrets for Leading A Joyful Life Find a great partnerLaughDo more of what you love to do. We do a wrap of this episode with Barbara singing one of her favorite songs.  Listen in to hear a great singer! You can contact Barbara by email at: barbara@barbaralewis.com or go to her YouTube Channel: Singing After 40 Please listen to our podcast at most podcast platforms and our YouTube Channel.

Today we launched a new season and our first guest is financial wizard, Sarry Ibrahim, who is going to tell us how we can grow older not only with gusto but how to grow our money with gusto! Here are some of the topics we covered in this episode: The 3 Keys To Better Understand Money When You Are Younger Know your financial self.  Become familiar with your current savings, income, debt and average expenses.Know your habits; understand how you  spend and save money.  Identify any previous successful financial projects.Understand the concept of opportunity cost; what it really means to save, invest  and spend. What To Do At Each Age To Prepare For The Future 25- 45 Years Old:  Accumulation Phase; buy a home or rental property. Grow your savings and pay down debt.  This includes 401K's IRA and Infinite Banking. 45-65 Years Old: Protection Phase; Paying down the majority of debt and increasing your net worth. 60 Years Old+: Gifting Phase; plan on passing on your net worth to the next generation using an estate plan and other resources. How To Motivate Yourself Prepare for Retirement? Think of your future self.  Consider the tax component of your money. What is helpful is starting a “forced savings”. It's like a recurring bill. What is Wealth Weapon The Ultra Wealthy Use As They Grow Older With Gusto? Sarry gave the example of a wealthy tech client who decided to put his earnings in a cash value life insurance policy. It's like a savings policy with dividends, it's protected from taxes and you can borrow against it. How can We Make Social Security Work In Our Best Interests? Make sure its joined with other retirement accounts. Whole life insurance can help not increase your taxes on Social Security. 3 Keys To Financially Grow Older With Gusto  Live life on your own terms. Dream Big. Visualize what you want financially.Get involved in compound growth early.Identify ways of protecting your money from risks; economical, market, financial, or legal.

https://amzn.to/3w3m2oX Our first episode in May for Growing Older With Gusto has us exploring the ways we can continue to drive as we grow older without being a hazard on the road. Our guest, Henry Rameriz, of Oakland, California is an expert in anything to do with driving.  His background as a California Highway Patrol, and owner of the Bay Area Driving School provides him with lots of experience. Some of the topics we discussed are: Teaching nuns at a convent to driveUnusual teachers at his Driving SchoolThe Consequences of Marijuana on drivingRoad RageHow to Fix Traffic Collision ProblemsWays of Getting Older Family Members off The Road Henry is also the author of “ Driver TuneUp” available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Lulu Books.  Put in those earbuds and take a Spring Walk as you learn some insightful tips on deriving as we grow older!

Dr. Michael Kogan Our most recent guest on the Show is Dr. Michael Kogan, an epidemiologist with the US Health & Human Services Department. He is extremely involved with helping children, and currently directs the child heath epidemiology office in Washington, DC. Admittingly, he has realized that his perceptions of growing older have evolved since he was in his 40’s.  Now, he recognizes that people will listen to older people, and even his adult children want to spend more time with him! His curious and passionate nature has taken him to Columbia during the 80’s where he was captured by gorillas to Nova Scotia where he spent time working in a bakery. The recent pandemic has made him more aware of the nature of people and what we need to do to grow older with gusto! Some of the topics we talked about include: Getting arrested in ColumbiaWorking in a bakery in Nova ScotiaHelping young women in his office with STEM.His greatest professional achievement.The greatest challenges he faces at H&HS. Take a listen while you enjoy your first Spring Walk.  Our conversation is the perfect length to enjoy nature and learn something, too!!

Put in those earbuds and listen to our latest guest, Julie Sursok, who comes to us from Sydney, Australia. Julie is a great example of someone who exemplifies “growing older with gusto” by walking the talk. She has moved from continent to continent, lost everything, regained everything, and now has turned her story into a highly regarded book. This weeks’ show highlights parts of her life story, and also how she came about writing this book. The book is called, “I’m Now Called A Senior - WTF”. She shares with us the path to publishing, and also some hilarious subjects she has encountered as an aging boomer. She talks about various subjects we encounter as we grow older and puts a humorous spin on them. Some examples are: TravellingSeparate BedroomsMedical ChecksDownsizingTechnical Faux Pas She is sometimes referred to as the female Jerry Seinfeld! Please take a listen and make a comment!  Also, share with other friends this inspiring &  hilarious episode!

Ardee Krause Today’s episode deals with a topic that many people who are growing older with gusto are encountering — online dating. Widows, divorcees, and never married women are flocking to online dating sites as another avenue of meeting men. Our guest today, Ardee Kraus, has had lots of experience in her attempts to widen her circle of friends and meet a new man. She started out as a widow joining special interest groups hoping to meet men which didn’t happen. This is the reason she turned to online dating.  Her adventures and misadventures are all captured in this  episode. They are very telling and informative on what to watch out for and how to attract the right type of man. Ardee has developed a checklist of ways women can identify scammers and here are some of them: Profile PicturesDemographic Information or ProfileInitial commentsWhat they ask forAnswers to your questions and concerns Listen to this episode and discover how to identify if someone is scamming or real. It’s a humorous account from a woman who maintains a positive spirit throughout as she recounts her experiences. The episode is the perfect length of time for a Spring walk!

This show’s episode is with Sky Bergman, an award-winning photographer who is getting ready to take her talents to new heights! Sky’s documentary called, Lives Well Lived: Celebrating the Secrets, Wit and Wisdom of Old Age, will be seen on PBS. It’s a fantastic documentary that covers Sky’s four years of interviewing 40 people over the age of 90. She describes it as “40 People, 3000 Years of Collective Life Experience” Sky’s career has encompassed many other accomplishments. These include having her Fine Art work included in permanent collections at The LA County Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Bibliotheque National de France. Her commercial work has appeared on book covers for Random House and Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, Inc.  Magazine that use her work include Smithsonian, Readers Digest and Archaeology Odyssey. Currently, Sky is working as a Professor of Photography and Video at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California. The episode highlights how Sky became inspired for her work, how she went about doing it, and what the future looks like after completing the documentary. Her next project is called The Intergenerational Project and she speaks a bit about how her students have created bonds with older generations and come away with a new sense of what life can be like from different perspectives. View us on our YouTube Channel, Growing Older With Gusto, share with your friends, and Subscribe!

Today’s episode explores the method for finding oneself & re-inventing ones life at mid-life and beyond.  Our guest, Lucia Knight comes to us from the UK where she started a business called MidLife Unstuck and wrote a book, XChange.  Lucia took the bold and gusto move of piecing together her work and life experience pre-midlife to helping others get unstuck in both their careers and life! The show discusses how she used what she calls “Experiments” to jumpstart her own life, create a fulfilling older life, and ultimately help others discover and identify their life passions and move forward. Her “experiments” started slowly and gained momentum when she shared them with friends who hopped on the bandwagon.  One example is climbing the French Alps in a short period of time. She refers to “Fierce Midlife Experiments” which often involve physicality and the tenacity to try totally out of the box activities. She touches on what she calls ones “SuperPowers” and provides the framework for everyone to dig in and figure out what exactly are their SuperPowers!!  Everyone has 4-5 things they do better than other people and enjoy. Her “Fierce Emporium” is another offering that Lucia provides for those interested in identifying 8 traits for their “Fierce Cube.” So, take a listen to Lucia and get inspired!!  Our chat is the perfect length for a 20 minute walk for those in warmer climes or for sitting with a cup of hot chocolate if you are spending time indoors right now. Lucia Knight can be contacted at her website: midlifeunstuck.com

Amy Newmark, author, editor-in-chief and publisher of the Chicken Soup For The Soul book series is our first guest of 2021 on Growing Older With Gusto. Her writing career began in college when she travelled throughout Brazil interviewing regular people as part of her senior honors thesis at Harvard College.  Amy worked for three decades on Wall Street and became a hedge fund manager and tells us how writing was always a part of her pathway in the world of finance. 2008!  The year that Amy circled back to writing when she and her husband Bill acquired the Soup for The Soul Brand. Amy refreshed it, brought it up to speed with her perspective, and the brand is a BRAND NEW success story. More than 170 new books have been published since 2008,  with most of them becoming national bestsellers here in the US and Canada. Her latest book, Age Is Just A Number, 101 Tales of Humor and Wisdom for Life, is flying off the shelves. How amazing to bring an old soul to life again!  

Lynn Ruth Miller Our first episode of the year, 2021 is introducing the oldest living female comedienne.  She claims that is an apt description because she is the “oldest standing female comedienne! Based in London, Lynn Ruth Miller has been a guest on America’s Got Talent, Britain’s Got Talent and recently published her memoir, Getting The Last Laugh a tale of the steps she took to get to where she is at age 87. Some of the topics we talked about are: How she got to where she is today.Pleasant surprises when she got out of her comfort zone.Her secret sauce for living a fulfilling life.Early advice in life that she followed.Why she has lived to 87.What advice she would give her 40 year old self today.How she feels about ageism in todays world.The most important things in life from her vantage point.What is happiness? Surprisingly, she ends the episode by singing a song about COVID!!  She has a good voice for singing, and for communicating her wisdom on life! The interview is a perfect length for taking a walk in nature or kicking back in front of a warm fireplace!

Eileen Willams Our guest on the show this week is Eileen Williams, an author, blogger, speaker and podcast host. Her blog and podcast, both called Feisty Side of Fifty, focus on the lifestyle of the baby boomer generation. Her career has encompassed 20+ years of working as a career strategist for people looking to change careers. She’s been a frequent speaker on both radio and TV, and has been interviewed for various publications; Market Watch, Money Magazine, Kiplinger to name a few. Our conversation with Eileen on our podcast, GrowingOlder With Gusto,  focuses on how the years beyond Fifty can be vital, and a time to really do what ever you want. It’s a time where people know themselves better, have more freedom to explore, and can achieve more than they ever imagined. Eileen shares with our viewers and listeners the Five Key Ways to Age With Authenticity. The Five Keys are: Identify the Gift of Growing OlderLive with Conscious IntentionHonoring and Sharing Your Unique TalentsStepping Outside of Your Comfort ZoneGive Yourself Permission to Thrive She ends the Episode by telling us about the 3 things our listeners can do daily to grow older authentically. This show is the perfect episode to inspire you as you start thinking about ways of making a fresh start in 2021!

Our guest on the show this week is Peter E. Rork, MD, who practiced orthopedic surgery for 30 years before pivoting to a totally new business! His business has been showcased on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC, Fox & The Hallmark Channel. Peter decided to rewire, and not retire after a life altering event in 2012, by putting together his skills as a certified flight instructor and pilot (started flying at age 12) with his passion for transporting his furry friends (dogs and cats) to what he calls their “fur-ever” homes. His business for dogs at risk is called “Dog As My Co-Pilot” and operates from Jackson Hole, Wyoming! He began the business by flying rescue animals from the Rocky Mountains, southwest, and Pacific regions of the country. Many of the pets come from Texas, and there are current plans to expand to other parts of the country that are in great need of his service. The name of his NFP business stems from knowing that once the dogs get in the plane and up in the air they become calm. He feels it’s “like they know they are on a flight to freedom — and are truly his co-pilots”! His motto is “Leave No Dog Behind” and he and his limited staff work energetically to make sure all dogs are adopted and/or placed in no-kill shelters. The coordination of placement in adoption centers, and the flying of the pets take incredible tenacity with Peter making several stops a day while transporting the pets. A new affiliate of “Dog As My Co-Pilot” is Wondercide, an Austin based business that provide natural products for dogs and the home. Proceeds from this year will go towards a flight for the dogs. I asked him for advice for people growing older with gusto who want to help out. He suggests adopting an older dog, volunteering at a no-kill shelter, or just dropping off food and supples. For listeners who want to donate to a great cause or reach out to Peter Rork, M.D., and become a squadron go to https://dogcopilot.org Enjoy listening to the fascinating story of Peter Rork, MD, and how he went from helping people as a surgeon, to helping pets fly to freedom!

How do women find that great “Big Love” as they grow older? Listen to our guest on the show today tell us how her past experiences jettisoned from a journalism background, led her to create a business that helps women break down the barriers that have prevented them from finding what she calls, “Big Love”. She draws upon her past work experience as an intuitive coach where she helped women create a more expansive, magical and soulful life.  Her ability to help women clarify purpose in their lives was a steppingstone to creating her business, Moxie Creative & Consulting, based in downtown Chicago. Deb’s own life took a positive tailspin as she and her partner of three years decided right before she turned 60, to tie the knot, and create a blended family. The show talks about how women can rewire their brains for love, overcome roadblocks from losses or disappointing relationships,  and through the use of Neuroplasticity, remake and reinvent themselves so they can find their “Big Love”. Grab those earbuds and listen in as you walk off your Thanksgiving Dinner!

As the USA prepares for a virtual Thanksgiving, Growing Older with Gusto host Gail Zugerman welcomes video animator and techie Reno Lovison to the show to discuss some ideas for how to spend thanksgiving during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. Reno shares some ideas for how to engage your family even while apart and at the end find a link to Reno's cute COVID Thanksgiving Parody that combines over the river and through the woods with lyrics you could only imagine in 2020. Check out Reno at: https://chicagobroadcastingnetwork.com

“I’m Not Done Yet” is the acronym for a UK based company called INDY. The founder of INDY, is Andrew Middleton. He is a British retired corporate executive who started INDY as a way to help people who are 50+ reinvent themselves, get past being stuck in an older mindset, or facing ageism in the workplace. Middleton draws upon his own personal and work experiences to help what he refers to as the INDY generation. Most, but not all of his people come from the 60’s and 70’s generation which show no signs of slowing down! The show describes what he refers to as the 7 INDY tribes that are evolving. Some of his tribes include : Community - bettering their community Love - looking for a new life love Fitness - running a marathon Entrepreneurial - starting a new business Ecology— helping the environment Middleton is using his skills to help people keep going and growing older with gusto. He promotes the INDY identify to empower people, tells inspiring stories and the end result is he helps them to find a new purpose in life. Come listen to the show as he tells us about the “Clarity Process” he uses with clients to help them get unstuck. Learn about the lawyer who through INDY is now leading tours through his town in the UK. It’s a quick listen and perfect for sitting in front of a fireplace to get some inspiration!

Our guest on the show this week who is making her second appearance is Yvonne Wolf, an intercultural consultant to China.  On the show, we have fun exploring the many ways the Chinese Zodiac influences how people grow older beginning in childhood. We begin the discussion by talking about the comparison of the Chinese Zodiac to the Zodiac in the Western Hemisphere. Our conversation with Yvonne talks about the significance of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. She explains that people can determine someone’s age based on their animal designation! Other interesting topics we cover include: Are there “good” animals and “bad” animals in the Chinese Zodiac? What makes the Chinese Zodiac so important to the Chinese people? The Zodiac’s influence on childhood, workplace marriage and family life. How the Chinese Zodiac Tie into Growing Older With Gusto? Yvonne will be back on the show talking with us about “Life Begins At 60” Come take a listen to Yvonne take us on a journey of sorts to China!  It’s a great way to ease yourself into a change of seasons and the Covid-19 fatigue!

Fighting Forward.  Jeopardy television game show host Alex Trebek, inspiration and beloved by many, passed away after a nearly two-year fight with pancreatic cancer.  The survival rate of pancreatic cancer today is in the single digits but The Lustgarten Foundation is fighting that every way it can.  Learn from President and CEO Kerri Kaplan of the Lustgarten Foundation, the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research, on how Alex Trebek has positively influenced pancreatic cancer research and ways in which they are positively impacting those who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and researches towards a cure. Donate to the Lustgarten Foundation Thanks to separate funding to support administrative expenses, 100% of your donation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.   Gail Zugerman supports The Lustgarten Foundation

Guest Wendy Parman How does one take life events, and use them to catapult you forward in life? Come listen to our guest this week, Wendy Parman talk about her transformations from acting, singing and songwriting, to creating her own voice studio in Chicago, Illinois.  She credits her teacher when she was 10 years old in igniting the flame of creativity by allowing her, and her best friend to create a play that they wrote and performed. “Fragments of Heartbreak Reassembled Here” her solo performance and “Callie’s Solo” a musical comedy web series on UTube are based on her real-life experiences. Her voice studio located in Chicago, has pivoted recently due to the Covid crisis and produced a ZOOM version of her “Singers Salon” to do a benefit for an organization helping communities at risk on Chicago’s South Side. Come take a listen to Wendy Parman and learn how she is growing older with gusto.

Yvonne Wolf, our guest on the show this week, is an intercultural communicator who specializes in Asia. She tells us this is the philosophy of aging in Eastern Asia. I think it is also a privilege. Yvonne talks about the Asian mindset when it comes to exercise, diet, menopause, aging, and how the Asians revere those who are older. One story describes the surgeon general of Taiwan coming to senior centers to commend the people on staying healthy! Also,  the grandmother holds status!  Viewed as powerful, they take charge of budgets and other family matters. Older people are always the “go-to”  for advice! The age of CEO’s in Asia is generally at least 50 years old. So, we’ve just touched the surface. Yvonne will come back on the show and talk about:   The Chinese Zodiac and You   Why Life Starts At 60   Chinese Traditional Medicine and A Healthier You. So, take a listen - a perfect length for a walk!  

Sheila Stone Get out of your comfort zone. This is the advice Sheila Stone, our guest this week on the show gives for those wanting to grow older with gusto,! Sheila is the master of reinvention and works at helping women create a new life for themselves after 50. She is a great example herself as she went back to college at age 48 to get her degree and a Master’s degree in England. Not slowing down he started doing stand up comedy upon retiring to LA, and decided at age 60 to start a travel business. She is a big believer in creating a great life for yourself as you grow older and shares her ideas for adding some mojo to your state of mind! Her 3 tips for reinvention are: Dream Big but be realistic, Don’t let anyone shut you down(including friends and family), and don’t be defined by your age. Take a listen! This interview is the perfect companion to your Fall walk!

Listen to our latest guest, author Heidi Herman talk about how the idea of Butter was one of the sparks for her latest book. “On With The Butter - Spread More Living Onto Everyday Life” is a compendium of stories, challenges and advice, on how you can apply the metaphor of butter which makes everything taste better, to the of enhancing your life as you grow older. Herman’s family roots in Iceland and a close relationship with her Icelandic Mother were the impetus for putting her thoughts down on paper. The Icelandic phrase, “Afram Meo Smjorio” translates to “carry on, keep doing what you are doing, forge ahead and keep moving.” You will hear about how her mother did something new every day of the last year of her life, to how the author challenged herself to entering a Warrior Dash. Put in those earbuds and listen to a fun and engaging podcast interview!

Alana Dawson of Podcast Party Sometimes life events spiral our world in a life-enhancing way. This is what happened to Alana Dawson who suffered a serious health setback as a young wife and mom. It set her on the path to thinking about and executing what she refers to as her legacy.  This life-changing event was the catalyst for being more aware of how she wants to grow older, and interact with the world. Take a listen as she tells us about her journey.  Figuring out what I call your mojo, and being generous with it, are what Alana thinks are the keys to growing older with gusto! Alana's website:  alanadawson.com The interview is the perfect thing to listen to while you take a Fall walk!

What can I say about a 78 year old man who has the fitness age of 35?  Well, he has a lot to say about how he has been growing older with gusto! Come listen to Rico Caveglia share with us his 7 Essentials of Life, and how you, too can “Be Bold and Never Be Old!”  He has developed a lifestyle he calls the “Aging Living Lifestyle” that promotes a way of living that ensures we keep on moving in the right direction both physically and mentally. Rico is an author and a Senior Olympic State Winner in California and walks the talk! He is currently busy working on a virtual summit that will take place in November where he will have 50 top experts in the field of aging on the platform!  His new product offering is the “Ageless Body Self Care Guide” which will be available to people attending the summit. So, let me introduce Rico Caveglia! Put in your earbuds, listen to Rico and learn how to live agelessly!

Douglas Ekman What if you could be as vital at age 78 as you are right now? Come listen to Douglas Ekman, a Renaissance Man talk about how he got to be “still in the game” at age 78. He just published an exiting new book called “You Are Old,  and will soon be seen on TV and heard on the radio, as a spokesperson for an exciting new product. Ekman gives so much insight into how we can live our lives so that we can be assured that when we are older — life will be just as good, if not greater than when we were younger! Take a listen as he explains how his life philosophies, experiences came together and created a life with much gusto! The interview is the perfect length for a walk!  Enjoy Doug Ekman!

This episode is a bit of a turn from our regular interviews with Growing Older with Gusto guests.  Unfortunately, Gail lost her 97.5-year-old Uncle to COVID-19 related complications. In this episode, she shares her experience from attending her first virtual funeral. Plus, we recap some exciting stories from an unreleased episode that was to air on this very podcast with her Uncle.  Due to technical issues, the podcast episode was unusable, but we do hope to bring some insights into her Uncle's fulfilling life.

You can be anything you want in life!  Amanda Rees shows us how in her journey from being a biological and chemical engineering graduate to being a co-founder and CEO of BOLD. BOLD is a venture capital-backed startup geared to reducing falls in older people.  Her business is an online program that is customized to individual needs. Currently, people from their 50’s-90’s through 27 states have enrolled in her online courses. Amanda was inspired by a close relationship with her grandmother which she talks about with us on the show. Some of the areas we covered on the show are: How did your interest in your startup begin? Tell us all about BOLD. Ageism — What is it? Technology and It’s Influence on Aging This is an inspiring interview with a young CEO who doesn’t let ageism get in her way.  The perfect length for a walk!

Our most recent guest on the show is Theresa Nicole, RDN, CTNC, NLC aka Miss Nutrition® who has made a career out of a life-changing event in her life. Yes, she is now a registered nutritionist and dietician a path that evolved from taking charge of her health issues while in her 20’s. We spent the entire show talking with Theresa about her life, and how sugar has played a large role in shaping it. A few of the things we talked about are: How does sugar promote aging? What is your life plan for living healthfully? How do the gut and the brain interact? What does organic food do for us as we grow older? The effects of intermittent fasting on the body The 3 tips for eating well and not feeling deprived. The importance of eating breakfast. Listen in to this guest!  She is inspiring.  It’s the perfect length for a walk.

Do you think you will be climbing trees in your 60’s?  Well, our guest on the podcast today not only does that, but does handstands, too!!  This is all after undergoing numerous serious health setbacks. Lee Mowatt, creator of The Aging Academy Podcast will share nuggets of wisdom he has learned so far in his life and how to apply them to the concept of growing older with gusto. Here are some of the things we discussed on the podcast: Introduction to The Aging Academy Distinguish between OLDER and OLD What’s up with cultural ageism? How does the past influence the future-or does it? What to do to overcome health obstacles Lee’s Medical Adventures Lee’s YouTube Channel

Our most recent guest on the show is the fourth person in a collaborative series we are doing with the Lustgarten Foundation, the nation's largest organization to raise research money solely for pancreatic cancer research. Dr. Maria Casillas-Abundis came to work at Northwestern Memorial Hospital from Mexico City three years ago.  She is a woman who is dedicated and inspirational.  She always wanted to be a surgeon and is meeting her dreams.  She is involved in transplant surgery and has spent two years doing kidney transplants before turning her focus to transplants of the pancreas. Here are some of the things we discussed on the podcast: Who is the typical person who receives a pancreatic islet transplant? Talk about the patients' journey from arriving at your door to the moment they receive the transplant. What is the connection between what you are doing and pancreatic cancer? The interview is the perfect length for a walk outside!    

David Lereah “Growing Old is not a health sentence it’s a life sentence because it pushes you to live.”        “When you have made it to the of the hill you have earned the right to stay and enjoy the scenery.” These are just a couple of quotes that you will find in a book that our latest guest on the podcast, David Lereah has recently written.  The title is “The Power of Positive Aging - Successfully Coping With The Inconveniences of Life.” Here are some of the things we discussed on the podcast: The Three Aging Rooms Your Spirit As You Grow Older The Life Portfolio and how to Balance It Headspace App  Calm App Lifestyle Planning and What Is It United We Age The interview is the perfect length for a walk.

CK Perez, as she is affectionately called at the East Bank Club in Chicago, is 86 years young!  She appears vibrant, in shape, and has the spirit of the color she loves the most — green. Green is symbolic to her of all that is growing and willing to live. She talks to us about […] The post CK – Dynamic Forever appeared first on Growing Older with Gusto.

This is a story about an 82-year-old man who made a life-altering change at age 50 by allowing his faith, his energy and his love of life, family and friends to steer him into becoming a Deacon at age 53.  Deacon Leonard Richardson, tells us on the podcast how his connection to family, friends, and […] The post Deacon Leonard Richardson appeared first on Growing Older with Gusto.

Judi Schindler a lifelong Chicagoan is a multi-talented woman in her 70’s who has headed a 10 person PR firm for 40 years, become an actor, and an author where she describes one of her biggest life accomplishments – being married for 50+ years! I spoke with Judi recently about the sense of humor she […] The post Judi Schindler appeared first on Growing Older with Gusto.