Feisty Side Of Fifty

Every boomer out there remembers the famous British invasion of the 1960s and how it nearly destroyed the career of Elvis Presley. That is until Steve Binder, TV producer and director, was able to convince “the king” to make a comeback TV performance in 1968. This project, however, was fraught with backstage drama because Elvis distrusted the medium and was actually terrified to appear on the small screen. Yet, thanks to Steve’s deft abilities in handling the singer’s case of nerves as well as a raft of other issues, we were gifted with a performance that each of us treasures to this day. In fact, TV Guide subsequently called the special “the second greatest musical moment in television history next to the Beatles' debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.” Even more, Steve has written a book about his remarkable experience with the king. It’s called Elvis ’68 Comeback: The Story Behind the Special and it’s just been released this week. I’m sure that each of you will want a copy of this amazing story for your own libr

If you’re looking for a great read to share with your middle-grade grandchildren look no further! Our guest, Riley Redgate, is an award-winning author who published her first novel while she was still in college. Her latest book has been described as an enthralling update of Lord of the Flies set in space. It’s one heckuva compelling read for both young adults as well as those of us on the Feisty Side of Fifty. That, of course, makes it a real treat to share with our grandchildren.  Riley’s book is called Alone Out Here and she joins us to share all about it.

David Liittschwager has shot more than a dozen assignments for National Geographic. He has, moreover, spent 12 years photographing octopuses, seahorses and jellyfish in more than 28 locations around the world. David joins us to share all about his beautiful new book that’s both an incredible feast for the eyes and a treasure trove of information about these strange and wonderful creatures who live in our seas. It’s called OCTOPUS SEAHORSE JELLYFISH and is one of the most visually stunning books I’ve ever seen. So, if you care about our planet and the creatures who live in the seas, please plan to listen. You will be both informed and moved by what David has to share.

In many ways, aging can truly bring on our “Golden Years.” Yet, sadly, the number of scams and various other fraudulent means of targeting us seniors are on the rise. And older adults, who have experienced loneliness and isolation during the pandemic, are more susceptible than ever. That is why you will want to be sure to listen to what our guest has to share. Tamar Cooper, Director of Health Services at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, joins us to share all about a new therapy group for adults 55 and older who have experienced these types of romantic scams. If you or someone you care about has been impacted by online fraud—especially romantic scams--please take a few minutes to tune in. You will hear Tamar Cooper discuss the issues involved and ways you can successfully deal with these and heal from the emotional trauma you may have experienced.

Are you a boomer who wants to live a life that’s fulfilling, inspiring and packed with opportunities for joy and happiness? If so… you’ll want to be sure to take a listen to what our guest, Cy Wakeman has to say. Cy is a drama researcher, international leadership speaker, and consultant. She is the founder of Reality-Based Leadership and authored a number of books including Reality-Based Leadership, No Ego, and the New York Times bestseller The Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace. Now Cy has just come out with a new book that each of you will want to have in your personal library. It’s called, LIFE’S MESSY, LIVE HAPPY: Things Don’t Have to be Perfect for You to be Content. Obviously the title is intriguing and we are lucky to have Cy with us to share all about it. If you want to make the most of this incredibly special time of life, make certain you tune in for this one!

As revolutionary as our generation has been, younger women are inspiring us with their honesty, courage and outspoken attitude in challenging some of our most outmoded (and often hurtful) human interactions head on. Our guest today, Kimberlee Yolanda Williams is just such a woman. Kimberlee is an educator, DEI administrator, consultant, workshop leader, speaker, and certified life and health coach who is known for moving audiences with her mixture of connection and compassion. One of her main areas of expertise is racial dynamics and Kimberlee specializes in supporting people across the racial spectrum to find commonalities and step closer to one another. To these ends, she has recently published her book, Dear White Woman, Please Come Home and she joins us to share all about it. You won’t want to miss this compelling conversation about race, open communication and strengthening the bonds of sisterhood in all of its glorious hues and colors.

One of the joys of age is that we have more discretionary time to follow our bliss. And, for many of us baby boomers, that means spending time outside in our garden. Whether it is filled with colorful blooms, fresh vegetables or is mainly a tranquil oasis to sooth one’s soul, a garden can contribute to your health and well being in important ways. That’s why I am so excited to introduce our guest, Mary-Kate Mackey. Mary Kate is an award-winning writer, speaker and teacher. She’s also the co-author of a brand new go-to guide for creating the garden of your dreams. Her book is called The Healthy Garden: Simple Steps For a Greener World and Mary-Kate joins us today to share all about it. If you have a love for colorful plants, fresh vegetables and the rest of nature’s bounty that is found in a garden, you won’t want to miss this one!

Are you a boomer who is considering retirement and wants to live a life that’s fulfilling, inspiring and packed with new adventures? If so… you’ll want to be sure to take a listen to what our guest, Dawn Fleming has to say. Dawn has been living her best life and helping others to do just that for years though her global coaching and consulting company called, “Overseas Life Redesign.” And, better yet, she’s just written a book that each of you will want in your personal library. The title is Claim Your Dream Life: How to Retire in Paradise On a Shoestring Budget. Obviously the title is intriguing and we are lucky to have Dawn with us to share all about it. If you want to make the most of this incredibly special time of life, make certain you tune in for this one!

If you’re a grandparent, no doubt you know there’s no greater joy than sharing a lively, information-packed adventure book with your grandchildren. And that brings us to our guest, Crispin Boyer. Crispin has written more than 20 books for National Geographic Kids, wherein he’s covered numerous topics that young readers find fascinating. His non-fiction books have run the gamut from bugs to sharks and from ninjas to knights in shining armor. But Crispin joins us now to share all about the fourth book in his much loved fictional Zeus the Mighty series. It’s called Zeus the Mighty: The Epic Escape From the Underworld. His series is set in pet shop named Mt. Olympus Pet Center, which is located on none other than a high hilltop in Athens Georgia. This book is packed with references to ancient Greece and Greek mythology—a treat for the readers and their grandparents alike. So gather your grandchildren and be sure to tune in for this one… it promises to be both entertaining and informative!

Joe Yogerst is an editor, writer, and photographer who has lived and worked on four continents: Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. His writing has appeared in numerous major publications including, among others, Conde Nast Traveler, CNN Travel, and National Geographic Traveler as well as in40 National Geographic books. Joe joins us to share all about his latest must-own book, National Geographic’s 50 States 500 Campgrounds. I know each of you is going to want to have this one in your personal library. So take 10 minutes, listen to what Joe has to say and start packing your bags to hit the road and explore the wonders of nature and the joys of camping… And for us seniors, don’t forget about the even more comfortable joys of glamping! 

We boomers have been through some rough times of late and let’s face it: the forever-young generation is aging. Given these realities, we could really use a big dose of inspiration. And wouldn’t it be great to meet someone who could motivate us to get off the couch and make the most of this time in our lives? Well… you are about to meet that someone and boy is this gentleman motivating! Our guest, Michael Bungay Stanier (aka MBS) is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, speaker, podcaster and master coach who has been named as the #1 Thought Leader in Coaching. Obviously, when it comes to making the most out of your life, Michael is the go-to guy. His latest book, How to Begin, has become my new bible for grabbing hold of life so that I can make a difference in the lives of others as well as myself. And I know, when you hear Michael share his thoughts on doing something that matters (the subtitle of the book), you will be just as inspired as I am. So, if you’re ready to feel motivated to live a life that matt

Wouldn’t it be great to restore your youthful figure and revitalize your zest for life? How about learning to cook easy, delicious recipes that will help to prevent some of the most dreaded diseases of aging? Want to learn the real key to maintaining your weight, your health and your wellbeing? Join Debi Chew, a full time RN who still makes time to share her amazing recipes and culinary skills on her YouTube channel, ChewOnVegan. With that name, you can already guess that she’s a vegan and Debi is also into plant based, gluten free cooking. Her recipes are easy to make, super healthy and delicious. Her motto is that her food is good for you, good for the animals and good for the planet. And who could ask for more than that? If you care about living your best life at any age, you won’t want to miss this one!

If you’re a grandparent, no doubt you know there’s no greater joy than sharing a lively, information-packed adventure book with your grandchildren. And that brings us to our guest, Leigh Lewis. Leigh is a children's writer and a poet who has been "playing pirates" since she could walk. Her adventures on the high seas have enabled her to call many places "home," including Turkey, Greece, England, and Russia, as well as cities all over the United States. But Leigh has now navigated her way back to her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where she spends her time dreaming up stories for kids of all ages.  Leigh joins us today to share all about a book I know you’ll want to make sure to share with your own grandchildren. It’s published by National Geographic and is called Pirate Queens: Dauntless Women who Dared to Rule the High Seas.  So gather your grandchildren and be sure to tune in for this one… it promises to be both entertaining and informative!

Everyone loves getting lost in the pages of a great read—especially one that both entertains us with a captivating story as well as enlightens us about one of the major social ills our society faces today. Our guest, Bruce Lewis, has written just such a book.  Bruce was a crime reporter for several California daily newspapers, covering police and fire. His reporting earned six awards for best news and feature writing. He is the author of the Master Detective cover story, Bloody Murder in BeautifulDowntown Burbank, and the book Tweet It! Great News Writing 140 Characters at a Time. His work as a communications consultant earned more than 30 professional awards. Now he’s produced his debut novel, Bloody Paws that not only provides the reader with an engaging story but also a tale filled with intrigue, murder and the plight of the homeless. If you are a fan of a great story, you won’t want to miss hearing what this author has to say!

If you’re looking for a great read to share with your middle-grade grandchildren look no further! Yoon Ha Lee is the New York Times best-selling author of Dragon Pearl, a companion to this book and winner of a number of awards. Yoon has also published several books for adults, including a standalone fantasy entitled Phoenix Extravagant, and the Machineries of Empire space opera trilogy: Ninefox Gambit, Raven Strategem, and Revenant Gun. Both his adult books and those aimed at middle grade readers have received both critical and audience acclaim. So the author has much to be proud of and many credits to his name. Yoon joins us to share all about this latest addition to his series and how his books celebrate Korean folktales, science fiction and plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning pages with anticipation!

We boomers know that one of the best ways to keep our minds active and sharp is by learning new and fascinating information. That’s why I’m especially excited to speak with our guest, Sarah Janssen. Sarah is a writer and editor who specializes in working on nonfiction, reference books. She joins us to share all about a brand new information-packed and visually stunning book called the Almanac and Book of Facts 2022. And, believe me, this book is real a treasure trove of information guaranteed to keep you turning pages to find out each fascinating, and often surprising, tidbits. So take 10 minutes, listen to what Sarah has to say and expand your mind and your horizons. Almanac and Book of Facts 2022 is a true treasure trove of information and a real fest for the eyes!

Are you a boomer who is considering retirement and concerned about your general wellbeing? If so… you’ll want to be sure to take a listen to what Lisa Weitzman has to say. Lisa is a social worker, WeCare Administrator and Manager of Business Development at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. She often writes on the topic of living your best life in retirement and joins us to share her valuable tips. If you are concerned about making the most of your Golden Years, you’ll want to make sure you catch this show!

Despite the many upsides of age, a long life means that our generation has borne witness to a number of social inequities. And, as a generation of change agents, it is critical that we stay involved and committed to our goal of making the world a better place. Our guest, Megan McBride, is a research analyst for CNA’s Center for Stability and Development. She’s also an expert on international security issues including terrorism, radicalization, and ideological violence. In her role, Megan has conducted and published research on domestic and international terrorist movements. She joins us to share all about a recent report focusing on extremism in the military—an ongoing and disturbing issue. This is awfully important information that we all need to hear. So please plan to tune in for this incredibly informative conversation.

Are you a boomer who is concerned about maintaining your youth and vitality for years to come? If so… you will want to be sure to take a listen to what Dr. David Bernstein has to say. Dr. Bernstein graduated from Albany Medical College and practiced internal medicine and geriatrics in Clearwater, Florida for 40 years before retiring in December 2020.  In the final ten years of his practice, Dr. Bernstein published four books that address his passion for longevity; helping people remain happy and healthy, and avoiding the pitfalls of aging.  He joins us to share his tips, strategies and more for successfully navigating later life while optimizing both your physical and mental health. If you are concerned about making the most of your own golden years, you’ll want to make sure you catch this show!

Those of us over fifty know only too well that age brings challenges. And some of them, in fact, are so big they can seem insurmountable. Caring for a loved one with a debilitating disease is one of the biggest and our guest today has some valuable information to share with us that can be incredibly helpful. Karen Schueler was a wife, a mother, a consultant and business owner, a coach, a runner, and a friend. In other words, Karen’s life was full of both business and family responsibilities. But nothing prepared her for becoming an instantaneous caregiver. She joins us to share her story, the insights she gained from her personal experience and all about the book she wrote to help others who find themselves in her situation. Her book is called The Sudden Caregiver: A Roadmap for Resilient Caregiving. If you are caregiver and looking for help to cope with some of life’s biggest challenges, you’ll want to be sure to tune in for this one!