HOLIDAY BONUS: Why I Thrift for My Mental Health (Surprise Guest)
Release Date: 12/25/2024
Caregiving: What You Need to Know
Zestful Aging
You may have noticed that the caregiving crisis is finally receiving its due. Our conversation today is part of promoting the film “Caregiving”, the documentary created with executive producer Bradley Cooper highlighting the challenges and triumphs of caregiving in America. Caregiving will premiere Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9 p.m ET on PBS (check local listings), and on the PBS YouTube Channel. “Caregiving” will be available to stream on PBS.org and the PBS App beginning Tuesday, It’s narrated by Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba (you will remember her from “Orange is the New...
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Adventure, Courage and Healing
Zestful Aging
Today’s episode is about resilience and courage. What it is, why it’s important, and how we can create more courage in our own lives. I don’t know about you, but in this phase of life I don’t want to miss any opportunities because of fear. Sue Parker is the co-founder of the Creative Hub in Cazenovia NY. She loves bringing women together to craft, share and be in community. It’s the most fun Sunday of the month. But what I have discovered is that Sue is a true adventurer, although she’s pretty modest about it. She has had an adventurous spirit from the beginning–she was one of...
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Understanding Mental Health and Aging
Zestful Aging
Did you know that the majority of older adults with mental health concerns do not get the mental health care they need, resulting in worse medical problems, higher health care costs, family strain, and needless suffering. Loneliness, depression and addiction are just some of the challenges older people may face. Dr. Regina Koepp is a gerontologist and aging expert with a wealth of information about everything related to mental health and aging. This is a new topic and is coming more into play as the world's population is aging. Questions might include "How do I support my parent who is a...
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All of Our LIttle Lies Add Up
Zestful Aging
Laurie Gerber is an expert in the field of life and relationship coaching with over 20 years of experience coaching thousands of individuals and couples. She has a unique focus–on the mental and physical problems associated with lying. She calls it “personal pollution”. All of us do it. Examples include shopping more than we admit, drinking more than we say we did, sending our kids money and not telling our partner. She suggests we try a “secret free diet” and points to the research looking at ways even little lies have deleterious effects on our mental and physical health. Find...
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What Makes a Good Death?
Zestful Aging
Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN was named the Humanitarian Ambassador for “Oprah Magazine” for her work to bring peace and comfort to those facing the end of life around the world. Her life's mission is to increase access to high quality end of life education and care for patients and families She has firsthand experience as a hospice and oncology nurse and palliative care professional at the bedsides of more than 1,000 end of life patients. Today we’re going to talk about what makes a good death. Find out more at Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN at and her new book: Find out more about the Zestful...
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Drug Free Anxiety and Stress Reduction
Zestful Aging
It’s no secret that we’re in the middle of an anxiety epidemic. Many factors are contributing to this–but one thing is for sure….people are feeling unmoored. As a psychotherapist I’ve learned various tools and techniques to manage anxiety and I’ve been using them over the years. Then I stumbled on a tool that really helps and it’s simple and fun to use. I’m talking about the Camigo. It’s a little monitor that helps us breathe in the way that helps our nervous systems get out of fight or flight. I find it especially effective before bedtime for sleep. Adi Wallach is the...
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Three Extraordinary Women Climb Kilimanjaro
Zestful Aging
I met Pearlette Ramos when she invited me to the screening of her first feature documentary: , held at United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The documentary tells the story of three women of color who were brought together through friendship and a desire to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Each woman experienced childhood trauma, abuse and oppression—yet, went on to find the path to their power. They use the imposing mountain as both a metaphor for overcoming personal adversity and an opportunity to challenge insurmountable odds--like ending violence against women, undoing racism and...
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What is it Like to be a World Champion at 75?
Zestful Aging
One of the fun things about being a podcaster is that you can find great guests everywhere even when you least expect it. Recently I joined a community snowshoe and I overheard one of the volunteers say, “Yeah they cancelled world’s. Not enough participation.” That got my attention. I asked her about it and she mentioned that she was a snowshoe racer. You can imagine how I’ll be interested in a zesty snowshoe racer. She went on to say that she’s participated in ten triathlons. And here we are. Chary Griffin is an elite athlete and at 75, she shows no sign of slowing down. She’s...
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What is Your Gut (poop) Telling You?
Zestful Aging
Did you know that the gut is called “the second brain” and has its own nervous system? In this conversation we are going to learn about the gut brain connection especially as we age. Our guest is an expert in problems like reflux, bloating and conditions that women might complain about as we age. Dr Mary Pardee is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor and a Certified Functional Medicine Doctor who says “she fixes people's poop”. We’re going to find out what poop tells us about our health. Find out more at Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com
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A Retreat for Older Women Asking “Who Am I Now?”
Zestful Aging
I first became aware of today’s guest when she co wrote the classic, groundbreaking bestseller “The Courage to Heal” 37 years ago. It’s a book I’ve recommended many times in my psychotherapy practice. “The Courage to Heal” gave hope to millions because it provided sexual abuse survivors with the first real map of the healing process. In the years since then, Laura Davis has continued writing and leading workshops all over the world that have mirrored her passage through life: learning to be a parent, exploring the dynamics of reconciliation, living in the cancer underworld,...
info_outlineAs a psychotherapist, I’m always open to ways we can feel less anxious and alone. Some of us have a destressing toolbox which might include yoga, meditation, crafting, pets and the like. I’d like to add one that is a bit less conventional.
Thrift stores provide a kind of mini community and sense of shared purpose (the thrill of the hunt) that’s important in times like these. We’re in the middle of an epidemic of loneliness, and I find that frequenting my local thrift is a way of feeling less isolated. There’s no pressure to have long involved conversations with fellow thrifters. Instead, one might ask, “what is the color of the day?”, “can I slide my cart by you?” and engage in small talk that helps us feel a bit more connected. I’ve had sweet conversations that have left me feeling a little more energized and uplifted.
There’s also something about rescuing abandoned quality clothing that is satisfying to me, but may be an acquired taste. Some have expressed concerns that buying from the thrift stores takes away resources from people with less means. I’ve had concerns about this myself. That’s why I was happy to be able to put this question directly to Adam Minter, an expert in the global second hand trade (his episode link is below). From my experience, the racks are so stuffed at the thrift stores there’s more than enough for everyone. I was also surprised to see U.S. used clothes at a recent trip to a chain thrift store in the Caribbean. There’s simply too much stuff.
Thrifters agree that the thrill of the hunt is addicting. It’s fun to find that needle in the haystack of discarded items. I’m partial to cashmere–especially vintage–and I’ve been lucky to find many beautiful pieces that I’ve taken home and restored. They are a pleasure to wear. Thrifting isn’t for everyone. But it might be worth trying if you like hunting for hidden gems and being around people who like that too. You never know what you will find.
https://sites.libsyn.com/456789/adam-minter-where-does-your-discarded-stuff-go
Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com