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.

By |2021-10-30T18:24:43-04:00June 7th, 2021|Podcast|0 Comments

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.

By |2020-12-07T23:58:03-05:00December 7th, 2020|Podcast, Stories and News|0 Comments

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.

By |2020-11-24T23:13:07-05:00November 24th, 2020|Podcast|0 Comments

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.

By |2022-05-01T17:43:23-04:00November 9th, 2020|Podcast|2 Comments

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.

By |2020-10-29T10:17:41-04:00October 26th, 2020|Podcast, Stories and News|0 Comments

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.

By |2022-05-01T16:33:47-04:00September 14th, 2020|Podcast, Stories and News|0 Comments

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.

By |2020-08-24T15:43:33-04:00August 24th, 2020|Podcast, Stories and News|0 Comments

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.

By |2020-08-14T16:37:31-04:00August 14th, 2020|Podcast, Stories and News|0 Comments

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.

By |2022-05-01T16:26:17-04:00August 10th, 2020|Podcast|2 Comments

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.

By |2020-03-24T11:44:03-04:00March 23rd, 2020|Podcast|0 Comments

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.

By |2020-03-09T09:16:08-04:00March 9th, 2020|Podcast|0 Comments

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.

By |2022-04-30T20:35:37-04:00February 10th, 2020|Podcast|4 Comments

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.

By |2020-01-13T07:08:22-05:00January 13th, 2020|Podcast|0 Comments

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.

By |2022-04-30T19:50:09-04:00December 16th, 2019|Podcast|0 Comments

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.

By |2019-11-04T08:28:29-05:00November 4th, 2019|Podcast|3 Comments
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