Golden Matters

Kerry Flagg

Golden Matters exists to give a voice to the aging population and their caregivers. Our mission is to provide education, resources, best practices and a community to empower these great generations.

Episodes

  1. 03/11/2025 · VIDEO

    From Radio Waves to Life’s Waves

    At 66, Lori McConville has weathered profound loss—the passing of her father, husband, and mother in a five-year span—while navigating decades as a caregiver to her husband, Marty, who lived with chronic kidney disease. In this deeply human conversation, Lori shares what made their marriage joyful, what caregiving really demands, how to advocate inside a complex healthcare system, and why preparation (from documents to difficult conversations) lightens the load for the people we love. Golden Matters focuses on the Silent Generation (1928-1945) and Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and their caregivers to provide resources, best practices and a community to enable the spoken & unspoken needs of the aging population. Within each story we explore Golden Matters' key themes of finances, health/mobility, and finding purpose and identity in retirement. Thank you, Lori! Conversation with Lori McConville 00:00 — Welcome & Lori’s Introduction 02:00 — From Farm Girl to Radio Host 07:00 — Marriage, Illness & Building a Life Together 11:00 — Running a Business While Caregiving 16:00 — Advocating in Healthcare 20:00 — Mental Strength & the Final Chapter 27:00 — Elder Care, Falls & Long-Term Care Decisions 36:00 — Cultural Views & Workforce Support 42:00 — Planning, Legacy & Difficult Conversations 47:00 — New Beginnings & Finding Joy 53:30 — The Barn Fire Story Post Show 56:30 — Why Lori’s Story Resonates 57:20 — The Value of a Supportive Friend 58:00 — Journaling Memories Ahead of Time 59:00 — Palliative vs. Hospice 01:00:00 — Long-Term Care Planning 01:01:30 — Saving Voices & Legacies 01:02:15 — Technology & Care Tools 01:03:00 — Affording Care & Employer Support References  Insurance & Planning Find your State Department of Insurance (to explore LTC insurance options or file complaints): NAIC directory. NAIC+1 A.M. Best financial strength ratings (example referenced on-air: Mutual of Omaha): Mutual of Omaha ratings page; AM Best affirmation note. Mutual of Omaha+1 Care Navigation Medicare & Hospice Coverage – what’s included, eligibility, and limits. Medicare Medicare & Long-Term Care – what Medicare does not cover (custodial care) and where to get official guidance. Medicare+1 Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration for Community Living) – find local services by ZIP code. eldercare.acl.gov+1 AgingCare.com – directories and caregiver community. agingcare.com Helpful Distinctions & Travel Hospice vs. Palliative Care – Medicare’s distinction and coverage basics; good primer for listeners. Medicare Portable Oxygen Concentrators & Air Travel – FAA guidance (PackSafe & acceptance criteria) and TSA page. Federal Aviation Administration+2Federal Aviation Administration+2 Memory-Keeping & Tools Mentioned “Healing After Loss” by Martha W. Hickman (daily meditations for grief). HarperCollins Tonies / Toniebox (screen-free audio player; you can load custom recordings for kids). tonies® This episode and show notes are for education only and not legal, tax, financial, or medical advice. Always consult qualified professionals for your specific situation. Golden Matters' website: ⁠The Golden Matters⁠ Social Channels: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Twitter⁠

    1h 13m
  2. 23/09/2025 · VIDEO

    Rubies are Forever

    In this episode of Golden Matters, Kerry interviews her mother, Judy Goletz, about the realities of grief, widowhood, and resilience after losing her husband to cancer. Judy shares her experience as both caregiver and widow, from navigating the “widowhood effect” to the unexpected challenges of identity, family dynamics, and everyday life after loss. Their candid conversation offers valuable insights and comfort for anyone facing bereavement or supporting a loved one through it.  Golden Matters focuses on the Silent Generation (1928-1945) and Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and their caregivers to provide resources, best practices and a community to enable the spoken & unspoken needs of the aging population. Within each story we explore Golden Matters' key themes of finances, health/mobility, and finding purpose and identity later in life.  Thank you, Judy! "Rubies are Forever": Timestamps & References Conversation with Judy Goletz: 00:00 Welcome Judy! 00:57 A Wedding and Four Kids 03:29 A Chance Meeting 05:44 The "C" Word 10:41 The Impact of Loss and Grief 12:32 Miles of Loss 16:56 Losing Shared Memories 19:56 The Widowhood Effect 24:50 The Impact of Caregiving on Health 26:27 Losing Identity  30:19 Can the World Adjust? 33:37 Storytime: Cake in East Germany 38:17 A Bibliophile's Legacy Post Show: 41:05 Navigating Loss and Memory 43:12 Cherishing Positive Memories 45:41 Researching Medical Options 47:55 The Role of Music and Nature in Healing 50:35 Spiritual Symbols and Signs 52:38 Managing Reminders of Loss 53:55 Understanding Broken Heart Syndrome 56:09 Life Expectancy and Social Security 57:33 Reflections on Family and Legacy References from Interview & Post Show City of Hope: https://www.cityofhope.org/   Finding doctors by location and specialty: American Board of Medical Specialties: https://www.abms.org/ American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/ American Medical Association: https://www.ama-assn.org/   End of Life Planning: https://deathwithdignity.org/life-file/   Takotsubo cardiomyopathy https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome   CDC Life Expectancy Statistics: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm   *Golden Matters and its hosts and employees do not specifically endorse products or services discussed on the show unless otherwise noted.  Golden Matters' website: ⁠The Golden Matters⁠ Social Channels: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Twitter⁠ Website: https://thegoldenmatters.com/

    58 min
  3. 18/09/2025 · VIDEO

    Put Your Money Where Your Health Is

    Guest Jean Hedges takes us on a journey through her life from hitchhiking to going in and out of the business world to being a fierce advocate for her health and others. Along the way we learn her views and advice on outliving finances, researching beyond your doctor’s notes, and her pursuit of a documentary. Golden Matters focuses on the Silent Generation (1928-1945) and Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and their caregivers to provide resources, best practices and a community to enable the spoken & unspoken needs of the aging population. Within each story we explore Golden Matters' key themes of finances, health/mobility, and finding purpose and identity later in life.  Thank you, Jean! "Put Your Money Where Your Health Is": Timestamps & References Conversation with Jean Hedges 00:00 Welcome Jean! 00:35 California Bound 02:13 Manifesting Through Challenges 04:49 The Importance of Staying Active 06:37 Nutrition and Supplements: A Personal Approach 09:09 Life is Good, Surprisingly 10:29 Invest in Your Comfort Zone  12:35 Vulnerabilities  14:45 Always Do Your Research 17:07 Financial Prudence 18:48 Fighting With Purpose 19:48 Honoring Veterans and Immigrants 21:19 The Impact of PTSD on Veterans and Workers 22:02 Navigating Identity Along With Your Spouse 24:28 The Mind is a Powerful Tool 24:45 Healthcare Challenges and Personal Stories 25:33 Creating Community Through Meetups 27:24 Coping with Memory and Recognition Issues 30:24 Exploring Alternative Therapies 31:45 The Importance of Hydration 33:21 Life Transitions  36:48 Storytime: Hitchhiking Adventures 41:55 Brilliant Advice Post Show 42:22 Researching Alternative Health Treatments 43:55 Trust in Healthcare Across Generations 46:19 The Importance of Research and Preparation 48:13 Interconnectedness of Health, Money, and Purpose 49:59 Finding Purpose by Choice or by Cause 52:02 Does it Always Make Sense to Retire? 54:55 Motivations of Our Motivations 56:23 Hydration and Cognitive Health 57:43 Music as a Recurring Theme 59:22 Water, Creatine and Cognitive Performance 01:03:19 Upcoming Conversations on Loss and Legacy References from Interview & Post Show SoftWave Therapy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23918444/ Psyllium Fiber: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35816465/ PWC 2024 U.S. Healthcare Consumer Insights and Engagement Survey: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/healthcare-consumer-insights-survey.html Finding health information online: Health Information | National Institutes of Health (NIH) MedlinePlus - Health Information from the National Library of Medicine Rhonda Patrick (creatine discussion) Podcast: FoundMyFitness Episodes Golden Matters' website: ⁠The Golden Matters⁠

    1h 4m
  4. 18/09/2025 · VIDEO

    Toying with Retirement

    In our premier episode, with guest Peter Santaw, we follow his story from a budding toy designer to experienced executive to finding new purpose in retirement.  Golden Matters focuses on the Silent Generation (1928-1945) and Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and their caregivers to provide resources, best practices and a community to enable the spoken & unspoken needs of the aging population. Within each story we explore Golden Matters' key themes of finances, health/mobility, and finding purpose and identity in retirement. Thank you, Peter!    "Toying with Retirement": Timestamps & References Conversation with Peter Santaw 00:00 Welcome Peter! 00:23 Early Life in the Toy Industry 02:32 Higher Titles, Higher Stress 07:06 The Transition to Retirement and Its Challenges 10:24 Burnout or Forced Out? 13:45 Finding Purpose in Retirement 18:56 Creativity and Staying Active 21:12 The Power of Volunteering 23:30 Observations from Leading Tours 26:35 Challenges Faced by Veterans 28:38 The Need for Social Security and Medicare 32:37 Community Living for Seniors 33:30 Importance of Diversity 35:31 Reflections on Retirement and Financial Planning 38:01 Resilience and Family Legacy Post Show 41:26 Reactions to Conversation with Peter Santaw 42:58 Workshop Learnings - Social Security and Taxes 46:53 Importance of Finding a Fiduciary 48:29 Word of Mouth for Referrals 52:54 Purpose- Identity & Activity 56:37 Technology and the Digital Divide 59:58 Future Thoughts on Travel and Mobility 01:02:09 Golden Matters' Meanings & Legacy References from Post Show NAPFA (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors): ⁠https://www.napfa.org/⁠CFP board (Certified Financial Planner): ⁠https://www.cfp.net/verify-a-cfp-professional⁠ Garrett Planning Network: ⁠https://garrettplanningnetwork.com/⁠ ⁠https://smartasset.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.feeonlynetwork.com/⁠ FINRA’s Broker Check System: ⁠https://www.finra.org/investors/investing/working-with-investment-professional/about-brokercheck⁠ ⁠The Golden Matters⁠ website

    1h 4m

About

Golden Matters exists to give a voice to the aging population and their caregivers. Our mission is to provide education, resources, best practices and a community to empower these great generations.