From Catching Health to Catching Your Memories
The Catching Health podcast has a new identity! It will now be known as the Catching Your Memories podcast.
Podcast: Alzheimer’s disease, a story of two families
Danielle Bernier and Tom O'Connor talk about the ups and downs of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's and how they are trying to do to promote awareness and understanding, as well as help raise money for research and much-needed services.
Podcast: Secrets: A Story of Addiction, Grief, and Healing
Imagine that your adult child has died from a drug overdose, and you are the one who finds her. That is what happened to Ann Cookson. The grief never goes away, but Ann has been able to turn her pain into something positive. She wrote a book called Secrets: A Story of Addiction, Grief, and Healing. Listen to her story and how writing the book has transformed her thinking about drug addiction, as well as her entire life.
Podcast: Why we should all learn how to have compassionate conversations
What does it mean to have a compassionate conversation? Why is it so hard sometimes? Why should we keep trying? Stephen Andrew answers those questions and more in this powerful Catching Health podcast.
Podcast: Denise Kinney’s muscle weakness turned out to be something serious
Denise Kinney was familiar with muscle weakness. Ever since childhood, she lacked stamina, but things got worse in her 40s. Getting a diagnosis, however, was a lengthy challenge. Listen to her story in the latest episode of the Catching Health podcast.
An inspiring conversation about aging with Liz Johnson
Elizabeth Johnson is not only curious about things — lots of things — she actually pursues most of them. She's an interesting, energetic, inspiring woman. Find out for yourself in this episode of the Catching Health podcast.
Some advice and perspectives on growing older
What is old? Wendy Adlerstein, my guest on this episode of the Catching Health podcast, suggests that it has more to do with attitude than how many birthdays you've celebrated. She's a licensed social worker with a certificate in gerontology and the Executive Director of FirstLight Home Care in the Boston area. We tackled several issues related to getting older that are definitely worth listening to, especially if you or your parents are getting older.
Fred Craigie on living a meaningful, joyful, and peaceful life
What does it mean to be you? If that seems like a question that would require deep reflection, you are right. It's exactly what psychologist Dr. Fred Craigie is inviting us to do. In this Catching Health podcast, he has a wealth of questions to help lead us along a path of self-reflection and he has a new book that we should certainly take along on our journey.
Looking forward to the future one scarf at a time
When COVID forced a lockdown in London in early March, Hazell Jacobs knew she had to find something to help her cope. She found inspiration in her vast scarf collection and decided to write a blog about them. Its title Scarf Aid is an apt one. The stories about her scarves that she has been weaving since March have brought comfort not only to Hazell but to her growing list of followers. This is Hazell's story.
Catherine Gentile, author
Listen to my conversation (there's also a transcript available) with Maine author Catherine Gentile. Her latest book, Small Lies was just released. We talk about the stories in it, including the lie we tell ourselves about aging, and we talk about Alzheimer's' — which both of our mothers had — and how to possibly prevent this horrible disease.
The truth about women and retirement
One of the truths about women and retirement is that everyone's story is different. Some women don't know what they'll do with their lives when they stop working and for others, it's their chance to start fulfilling their dreams.
Navigating Glioblastoma: A Caregiver’s Perspective
When Sally Connolly's late husband was diagnosed with glioblastoma, she started writing down everything. Those notes eventually evolved into a memoir. In this podcast, Sally talks about her husband's struggle with brain cancer from her perspective — as his caregiver.
A conversation about aging with a soaring senior
Rita Losee describes herself as a Woman of Adventure, Doctor of Success, Proponent of Prosperity, InspirACTional Speaker, Author. She is that and more. Decades ago, she made a promise to herself that she would live a life of adventure. What a ride it has been and she is not even close to slowing down. At 78, Rita is also doing her best to encourage people to follow her lead. Instead of thinking it's all downhill from here, you could be a soaring senior — just like Rita.
Your aging parents are getting a divorce? Now what?
Whether they were caught off guard or they've been expecting their parents to divorce for years, many adult children are rocked to the core when it actually happens. Family therapists Carol Hughes and Bruce Fredenburg have written a book called Home Will Never Be the Same Again. They did it because, in their experience, few people recognize the impact divorce can have on adult children. In this episode of the Catching Health podcast, the authors offer a useful guide for so-called adult children of gray divorce.
Our Wisdom Years and how to make the most of them
How can you grow older with joy, fulfillment, resilience, and no regrets? You could begin by reading the book Our Wisdom Years by psychologist Dr. Charles Garfield. Instead of fighting against aging or later life as he calls it, he suggests that we embrace the opportunity to live a more meaningful life. His book provides a roadmap that is guaranteed to lead you down a road of adventure and deep reflection. Listen to our conversation and learn more.
Conversations About Aging: Jim Mardin, 98
At 98, Jim Mardin has led an incredible life, and he intends to keep on living it for several more years. We had our conversation shortly before COVID-19 forced him to stop his three days a week volunteer job. He still drives, takes no medications, enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, and loves sharing stories about his life. He is kind, optimistic, curious, unafraid, and very entertaining.
Conversations About Aging: Wayne Newell, 77
Wayne Newell is a Passamaquoddy Indian Man who was born and raised on the Pleasant Point Indian Reservation in Maine. After getting a master's degree at Harvard he and his family made their home on the nearby Indian Township Reservation, where he taught until his retirement in 2012. Although struggling with health issues, Wayne's mind and spirit are going strong. I hope you enjoy and will learn from our conversation. I did.
How to practice gratitude and why you should
What are you grateful for? In this podcast, researcher Dr. Robert Emmons discusses what gratitude is, how easy it is to find it, and why it's important to try. Especially right now.
Conversations About Aging: Joe Cupo, 68
For many people in Maine, my guest in this episode of Conversations About Aging is like an old friend. For 37 years, he broadcast the weather on the state's top news station — WCSH-TV. What's Joe Cupo up to now? He's enjoying retirement to the fullest and still keeping an eye on the weather.
Conversations About Aging: Sister Maureen Wallace, 76
What do you think it would be like to live your life as a nun? In this episode of Conversations About Aging, Sister Maureen Wallace gives us a glimpse into what it's been like for her. Trust me, it may not be exactly what you had imagined.
Conversations About Aging: Ann Quinlan, 81
She's got a lilt in her voice and a twinkle in her eyes. The time flew by as I sat and talked with Ann Quinlan for the latest conversation about aging. She's certainly not going to let a few decades (like about eight) get in the way of her enjoying life to its fullest. Settle in for some stories.
Conversations About Aging: Jennifer Fitzpatrick, 71
You know the book Where's Waldo? Well, I could probably name this podcast episode Where's Jennifer? She always has something going on and no intention of slowing down any time soon.
Conversations About Aging: Alma Thomas, 96
When World War II ended, Alma Thomas was living and working in New York City. While she didn't witness the iconic picture of the sailor kissing the girl in Times Square, she says everyone was celebrating and hugging each other. She moved from New York to Maine and later traveled around the world with her late husband. Now Alma is 96 and back in Maine with lots of stories to share with us.
Conversations About Aging: Loring “Bob” Newcomb, 94
It may be a cliché, but life does have its ups and downs. That's certainly been true for Loring Newcomb, who prefers to be called Bob. He says if he could go back in time, he might change a few things. He'd change some things right now, too. At 94, he's pretty active, but he says he's often lonely. Hear Bob's story in the latest episode of Conversations About Aging.
Conversations About Aging: Tom Antonik, 63
When Tom Antonik was diagnosed with AIDS in the late 80s, he expected to die a young man. All around him, people he cared about were dying and he never dreamed that he might have a different fate. But he did and he's now old enough to share his personal perspective on aging.
Conversations About Aging: Vikki Choate, 62
Vikki Choate told me that when she hit 50, something magical happened — things that used to bother her didn’t anymore. In this episode of Conversations About Aging, we talked about her view on life and how she is preparing for the future. Hint: it doesn't include retirement.
Conversations About Aging: Paul Quinn, 80
Imagine living most of your life on an island off the coast of Maine. That's what Paul Quinn has done and he has lots of stories to share. Like about the time he came home to find a lobster boat (not his) half in his garage and half out in the driveway. Listen to our conversation to hear that story and more.
Conversations About Aging: Joanne Santee, 78
Joanne Santee was diagnosed with a chronic lung condition 25 years ago. She knew that someday she'd need to be hooked up to an oxygen tank in order to breathe. That day arrived, but it hasn't stopped her from enjoying life. At 78, Joanne has a lot of wisdom and humor to share.
Conversations About Aging: Ernie DeRaps, 91
At one time, Ernie DeRaps was a lighthouse keeper in Maine. After retirement, at age 80, he became an artist. What do you think he painted? Mostly lighthouses, of course! I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Conversations About Aging: Dr. Bill Taylor, 97
He's 97, but he hasn't seen it all yet. That's because Dr. Bill Taylor has an insatiable curiosity and eagerness to learn new things. And I learned a lot from him, including about windsurfing. He was a champion. In many ways, he still is. Listen now to our conversation about aging.
Conversations About Aging: Mary Hamblen, 98
Try to imagine living to 98 years old. Mary Hamblen didn't and yet, it happened. She's had a good life filled with ups and downs. You just have to go with it, she says. We talked about her life, her thoughts about being older, and her last car, which she misses a lot.