Aging Wisely: The Podcast

A bi-weekly podcast that centers the lives and needs of the aging and disabled communities and brings them and those who advocate for and serve them to the microphone.

Just Keep Swimming 09/09/2021

Just Keep Swimming In this, the final English language episode of Season One, we meet Adam Galchus, currently studying for a Master's Degree in Special Education. Prior to commencing these studies, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Music, with a concentration in Jazz and Commercial Music. He is also the composer of Aging Wisely: The Podcast theme music. Adam was born with a disability. Notwithstanding that, he and his parents found his gifts in the arts, specifically music. From the age of eight, his gift was cultivated and he began his journey to musicianship when he took up the drums and, later, the trombone (and some piano). Due to his own life experiences and interactions with disabled children, he decided to pursue a degree in Special Education. He hopes to incorporate his musical training and education, in the work he does with high school students. He's also hoping to continue and pursue a career as a musician, composer and producer. Adam is an example of not only perseverance and recognizing your talent, but also of how the support of a "village" can impact and change the trajectory of a child's life. If you'd like to learn more or connect with Adam, please go to: /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/20414618

Doing the Work and Navigating Autism 08/25/2021

Doing the Work and Navigating Autism Theresa Lyons is a Yale trained computational chemist who had her eyes set on a career on the corporate side of the pharmaceutical industry. She started on that journey, but life had other plans after the birth of her daughter. At the age of three she was diagnosed with autism and Dr. Lyons life would be forever altered. Dr. Lyons journey alongside her daughter was difficult but through of all of their hard word, they both came out on the other side of that dark tunnel. Today, Dr. Lyons works with families of children with autism. Her work is directly inspired by her daughter, her first client. One of her clients called her "The quarterback" when describing what she does, and that is a pretty accurate description. Dr. Lyons follows the available scientific literature and studies in her work with families and endeavors to provide a roadmap for each family and child towards their unique goals. Her work in the pharmaceutical industry and training as a chemist also allows her to approach her work in a unique fashion. This episode is also is a testament to a parent's unconditional love for their child and their determination to help. Love can move mountains- and Dr. Lyons certainly did. The interview is replete with a wonderful perspective and valuable insight for families who, at times, struggle to see progress and to celebrate all of the small, but incredibly important, victories achieved by their child with autism. The bottom line is: You can't give up. You have to have faith. To learn more about Dr. Lyons and her work, you can go to To purchase her book: /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/20251289

The New (Immigrant) Face of New York's Aging Population 08/12/2021

The New (Immigrant) Face of New York's Aging Population While working at the Center for an Urban Future, Christian Gonzalez-Rivera undertook a research project that sought to really look at the ever present. growing AND aging immigrant population in New York City. The result is a report, "The New Face of New York's Seniors" that is incredibly comprehensive and looks at practically every aspect of what aging in a city means for its resident and the impact that it has on a population that, in many ways, struggled to adapt to a new city, not to mention county. What we learn is that while cities, like New York, can offer a lot to aging populations, they almost always fall short. When we look at aging immigrant populations, their particular circumstances and challenges, this also remains true. The reason? Caring and providing for aging populations and permitting them to age to age as full and active citizens where they live is not just the job of one agency. It requires EVERY agency, cultural institution and government entity's involvement. It involves us all. If you are an immigrant. If you work in the aging space. If you love an older or old person. If you care about quality of life for older and old people. If you want to understand older immigrants better. This is an episode you should listen. To learn more about Christian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-gonzalez-rivera-35bb478/ To read Christian's report, go to: To learn more about the podcast, go to: /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/20114477

Neighbors Taking Care of Neighbors: the NORC Aging in Place Model 07/01/2021

Neighbors Taking Care of Neighbors: the NORC Aging in Place Model In this episode you will meet Anne Foerg, a Geriatric Social Worker and a Program Manager at the NORC at Penn South, which is a naturally occurring retirement community in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/19660115

Taking It "Step by Step:" The Journey through Special Education 06/16/2021

Taking It "Step by Step:" The Journey through Special Education Special Education can feel like you are running through a gauntlet. It may feel isolating, but it doesn't have to be, especially if you are educated on how the system works and what to realistically expect. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/19503119

"Eyes and Ears Everywhere": Elder Abuse is Everyone's Business 06/03/2021

"Eyes and Ears Everywhere": Elder Abuse is Everyone's Business In this episode, Attorney Deirdre Lok from The Weinberg Center for Elder Justice in New York City, discusses elder abuse. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/19304642

Theatre is for Everyone: The A.B.L.E. Ensemble 05/20/2021

Theatre is for Everyone: The A.B.L.E. Ensemble Today you will meet Kathryn “Katie” Yohe, the co-founder and Executive Director of the A.B.L.E Ensemble, a Chicago-based performing arts non-profit that works with teenagers and young adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities, like down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy-among others. Their members range from their mid-teens to their late twenties and early thirties. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/19164704

The Privilege of Practicing "Old People" Medicine 04/28/2021

The Privilege of Practicing "Old People" Medicine Veteran Geriatrician Jomarie Zeleznik, M.D. speaks openly about the practice of geriatric medicine. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/18902591

Living in the Present, Thinking of the Future: This Lawyer's Take on Incapacity 04/14/2021

Living in the Present, Thinking of the Future: This Lawyer's Take on Incapacity People think that an incapacity can never happen to them or someone they love. It's hard to ever think of ourselves or anyone else being in that situation. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/18723554

From Big Brother to Disability Services Professional 03/30/2021

From Big Brother to Disability Services Professional In this, the first episode of Season One, you will meet Bryan Connelly. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/18529184

Aging Wisely: The Podcast Trailer Episode 02/24/2021

Aging Wisely: The Podcast Trailer Episode This is the trailer episode for a brand new podcast, that is dedicated to centering the aging and disabled communities, their lives and needs, and educating the public about why this should matter to you too. /episode/index/show/agingwiselypodcast/id/18077147

Aging Wisely: The Podcast

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