Around the World at 80
Zestful Aging
When Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip met more than 25 years ago, after becoming empty nesters and then widows, it was best friends at first sight. They never could’ve imagined that their relationship would propel them, in their eighties, through an around the globe adventure, or that they would go viral online and inspire people young and old across cultures. They have been known on social media as “the traveling nanas”. Their new book, “HERE WE GO” expands on the joyous message of hope that launched them into the spotlight. Find out more about this zesty friendship: Find out...
info_outline
The Power of Traditional Naturopathy
Zestful Aging
Amanda Conta Steencken is a classically trained musician and neuroanatomist originally from Argentina who has a fascinating story about her journey into health and wellness education. Amanda was training in classical piano when she began having problems with her hands. Her health problems became too severe for her to continue in her music training. Taking a big career turn, she focused on spinal cord injury and stem cells before she found her calling in teaching. Frustrated by the western medicine philosophy of looking at the body as sick, she discovered the power of Traditional...
info_outline
“Cooking Your Way to a Calm Mind”
Zestful Aging
Psychotherapist and author Julie Ohana combines two of my loves–psychotherapy and cooking. In fact I just pulled 2 sourdough boules out of the oven. Who bakes in summer? I do! Cooking has been a passion of Julie’s since childhood. It started while baking family recipes with her grandmother, working as a prep cook while in high school and as the kitchen manager at her summer camp. As she developed a passion for cooking, Julie discovered a second love-helping people through therapy. She’s talked about her treatment approach in all of the major news outlets, including the “New York...
info_outline
Does Cannabis Have a Role to Play in Healthy Aging?
Zestful Aging
Who else is confused about the use of cannabis, or pot, as we used to call it? And what’s with all of the dispensaries opening up? Does cannabis have a place in a healthy lifestyle? Today we’re going to speak with Dr. Dana Lillestol, a retired nurse practitioner whose passion is educating the modern elder on using cannabis to help with age related health concerns. Find out more at . Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at
info_outline
From Candy Striper to Helping People Live and Die with Purpose
Zestful Aging
Part executive director, part death doula, Karisha Solomon has been helping people live—and die—with purpose. With over two decades of experience, Karisha’s journey has taken her from candy-striper to nursing aide, caregiver coordinator, nursing home administrator-in-training, adjunct professor, nonprofit executive director—and now, certified death doula, gerontologist/ entrepreneur. Karisha is on a mission to take the fear out of dying so people can live more fully now. She blends spirituality and strategy into everything she offers. Our conversation is in conjunction with the...
info_outline
The First Indigenous Fashion Designer to be Invited to New York City Fashion Week
Zestful Aging
I had the honor of speaking with Mary Homer of Oneida Nation's Wolf Clan in Upstate NY. Mary spent 10 years dreaming of designing clothes. She wants her clothes to express “class, not trash.” She loves working with velvet, although it’s a difficult fabric As a fourth-generation bead worker, she began showcasing her brand at local Native craft shows, selling earrings, necklaces, bows and more. Soon the small business shifted into a fashion brand, Homer Couture. Today, she's the first and only Indigenous fashion designer to show collections during Syracuse Fashion Week....
info_outline
Who Needs a Nervous System Reset?
Zestful Aging
Today’s episode is with Meg Tobin, a Mental Health Counselor and the owner of Breathing Space Psychotherapy. Meg is an expert in mind body approaches to help regulate the nervous system. She uses EFT (Tapping), Brainspotting, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and several somatic techniques to cut through the defenses we use to protect ourselves, but ultimately keep us stuck in the same old patterns. Lately she’s been taking groups on international retreats for more intense healing and adventure. I met Meg about three years ago and was inspired by her dedication to helping people feel better...
info_outline
What it Takes to Write a Humor Novel in Your 60’s?
Zestful Aging
This episode features a long time friend I met while dog walking. He definitely looked out of place in the Syracuse winter, with his shiny new cross country ski equipment, fancy tech coat and dog who looked a bit like Al Capone. My dog walking companion and I speculated that he was enrolled in the federal witness protection program and his dog, Nate, was his cell dog. It turned out that wasn't the case. Jeff had been a popular and award-winning humor columnist in Southern California and suburban Boston. Soon he was at it again in Syracuse, addressing topics from family life to local...
info_outline
What Can I Do to Help the Environment?
Zestful Aging
One of the many joys of being a podcaster is that whenever I run across a zestful ager, which is often, I can invite them on the Show. It’s a great way to meet people that look interesting. Recently I was at an Earth Day celebration and I noticed a group of unmistakably zestful agers. I just knew I wanted to introduce myself and get to know them. They had that dynamic, postmenopausal energy. Today’s guest has spent her life promoting environmental stewardship. Mary Bartlett is part of a local organization called United Climate Action Network (UCAN) which is all about building...
info_outline
Would You Sell Everything and Live in an RV?
Zestful Aging
What if you had a major life transition in middle age, decided to sell your worldly belongings and buy a RV and travel around the country solo? Would you be that brave? I don’t know if I would. I had the opportunity to speak with full time RVer, Kathy Macdonald, on the Nelson swamp trail, just having been introduced by our mutual friend, Sue Parker. You may remember Sue, the hot shot firefighter who did a similar thing. And here’s a tidbit I love…how did Sue and Kathy meet? Sue reached out when she saw that Kathy and she both had the same obscure trailer brand! That’s the secret....
info_outlineWho else is confused about the use of cannabis, or pot, as we used to call it? And what’s with all of the dispensaries opening up? Does cannabis have a place in a healthy lifestyle? Today we’re going to speak with Dr. Dana Lillestol, a retired nurse practitioner whose passion is educating the modern elder on using cannabis to help with age related health concerns. Find out more at Lifeischill.com.
Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com