Still Time for Joy

Sandra Levine
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Still Time for Joy features practical advice for weathering life's storms, and inspiring stories of resilience.Host Sandra Levine interviews experts on caregiving, trauma, grief, and other intense challenges to provide a road map for survival. Heroes and healers, adventurers and innovators encourage you to pursue more self-care, reflection, connection, and fun—and your own unique and joyful purpose.Sandra is a television producer, filmmaker, and speaker who spent 20 years as a caregiver, first for her husband Michael, who had a brain injury, and then for her mother Dorothy, who had Alzheimer's Disease. She created this show to share lessons learned from those experiences to help you get through difficult times, too. Still Time for Joy is also available as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

  1. APR 4

    World-Famous Story of Smart Goose Shot with Arrow that Found Veterinarian to Save Him Still Inspires

    "The Smart Goose" is one of producer Sandra Levine's favorite stories of all time. In 2010, a Canada goose that had been shot with a bow and arrow, miraculously chose to land in the yard of a veterinarian in Toms River, New Jersey,  who was willing to help. Dr. Bernard Levine is Sandra's father and together they worked to save the injured bird and capture the amazing story. While many people do not care for Canada geese due to the birds' messy droppings, this story is about people coming together to show kindness and compassion to an animal that was needlessly suffering. Sandra shot footage of the capture of the bird (that could still fly), the surgery conducted by Dr. Levine to remove the arrow, and some of the bird's rehabilitation at one of the country's premier avian centers, The Raptor Trust in Morris County, New Jersey. The goose made a full recovery and was released - back to the wild - after six weeks of care. A reporter from the Associated Press was invited to the release, and the resulting story was carried by news outlets throughout the United States, and around the world - including in England, China, and India. While Sandra's father has since passed away, this poignant tribute lives on and continues to bring her joy. Contact Sandra Levine if you are interested in scheduling her inspiring speaking program on "The Smart Goose". Sandra Levine Producations https://sandralevine.com/ The Raptor Trust https://www.theraptortrust.org/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    6 min

  2. MAR 27

    Brain Injury Survivors & Caregivers: Reach Out to the Brain Injury Alliance of NJ for Help & Hope

    When a brain injury occurs, whether due to a fall, a car crash, a medical issue, or another reason, often life is dramatically changed for both the survivor and family members. The initial crisis can be terrifying; there are so many questions, and often too few answers, leading to overwhelm. Survivors may be unable to walk, think clearly, or live independently after an injury. With excellent medical care and rehabilitation, support, and time, improvements do occur. Still, family members often must suddenly learn to manage intensive caregiving responsibilities. For 45 years, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey has been providing help and hope to brain injury survivors and their families, as well as advocacy. In this episode, during Brain Injury Awareness Month, Wendy Berk, chief executive officer of the BIANJ, details many of the programs the nonprofit Alliance provides - including a helpline - free of charge. Berk also provides tips for all age groups on preventing brain injuries. Passionate about and dedicated to her work, Berk has firsthand experience dealing with the heartache and loss caused by brain injury, as her husband had a brain tumor at age 31. "Still Time for Joy" host, Sandra Levine, has been sharing lessons learned since her husband nearly died from a rare neurological illness in 1999. Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey https://www.bianj.org/ Helpline 732-783-6172 Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    32 min

  3. MAR 22

    Seals of Sandy Hook, NJ - American Littoral Society Teaches Visitors about their Comeback Story

    During winter months, numerous harbor seals can be seen resting or "hauling out" on the rocks in the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The American Littoral Society, a coastal advocacy nonprofit, hosts regular seal walks during which visitors learn about the seals' amazing comeback story. Seals historically came here from Canada and New England, following their prey, but their numbers plummeted due to water pollution and overhunting. The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and cleaning up the environment, have helped turn that around. Samantha Hemming, education coordinator for the American Littoral Society, teaches visitors about the seals, the need to give them plenty of space - you must stay at least 150 feet away - and the importance of continuing to protect the environment we share with these marine mammals. Special thanks to Caroline Fairhurst for the beautiful seal photos and video. American Littoral Society  https://www.littoralsociety.org/ Sandy Hook Unit - Gateway National Recreation Area  https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/sandy-hook.htm Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    6 min

  4. MAR 14

    Renowned Arachnologist on the Importance of Spiders & Why We Should Protect Them, Not Fear Them

    March 14 is National Save a Spider Day, the perfect time to highlight the critical need to protect spiders, not fear them. Dr. Paula E. Cushing, past president of both the American Arachnological Society and the International Society of Arachnology, has been joyfully studying spiders for decades. She says our fear of spiders is outsized: of the more than 53,000 species of spiders, approximately 100 species have venom that can badly hurt (or in rare cases, kill) humans.  Still, arachnophobia is often cited as the top phobia in the world. Dr. Cushing says learning about spiders and being exposed to them often greatly reduces people's fears. Spiders are an important part of the ecosystem. They devour insects, including mosquitoes, and they also are food for birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other species. Habitat loss and pesticide use are among factors causing reductions in spider populations. Dr. Cushing is senior curator of invertebrate zoology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Colorado. Special thanks to the museum and Dr. Cushing for providing photographs for use in this episode. Denver Museum of Nature & Science https://www.dmns.org/ American Arachnological Society https://www.americanarachnology.org/home/ International Society of Arachnology https://arachnology.org/home Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    27 min

  5. MAR 5

    Using Compost Made from Kitchen Scraps & Leaves Beautifies Your Garden & Saves Space in Landfills

    Learn all about composting - whether you want to use a worm bin inside, or a larger bin outdoors - from Master Composter Sandra Blain-Snow, with the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management. Composting not only creates a rich, natural fertilizer for your garden, it saves critically important space in the landfill.  Blain-Snow talks about the best ingredients to add to your compost bin - fruit and vegetable scraps, newspaper, coffee grounds, leaves, and more - and what to leave out - including meat and dairy products. She also discusses the many joyful benefits of spending time in the garden. The New Jersey Shore is known for its sandy soil, and adding compost greatly improves it. With support from the Board of Commissioners, the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management holds multiple composting workshops every year, where each participant receives a free composting bin. Also offered is a free, 15-hour Master Composter Training Program, that goes into greater detail about the process: https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/oc/solidwaste/frmMCP.aspx Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    8 min

  6. FEB 25

    Maple Sugaring at NJ Forest Resource Education Center is a Sweet Intro to the Wonders of the Woods

    Do you know how maple syrup is made? Recently visitors to the New Jersey Forest Resource Education Center in Jackson Township, NJ, learned all about the fascinating process. At the Sugar Shack, Roger Smith, a seasonal naturalist at NJ FREC, talked about tapping sugar maples for sap, which is then boiled down on an evaporator. Participants even sampled the pure, maple syrup on small pancakes, before embarking on an hour-long trek through the forest, to learn about wildlife, various tree species, and the importance of taking care of natural resources. Visit the website of the New Jersey Forest Resource Education Center to find out about the many recreational opportunities and programs it offers: https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/conservation/forest-resource-education-center/ Sandra Levine Productions: https://sandralevine.com/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    6 min

  7. FEB 17

    12 Kind Ideas to Try On Random Acts of Kindness Day, February 17th, or Any Day of the Year

    The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, based in Denver, Colorado, celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Day every February 17th. A recent interview I did with the vice president of the foundation inspired me to create a list of 12 Kind Ideas for you to try today, or any day, that come from the foundation's 2026 Kindness Calendar.  You can download the calendar--and lots of other resources--for free from the foundation's website https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    5 min

  8. FEB 14

    Improve Your Health & Help Make the World a Better Place by Doing More Random Acts of Kindness

    A random act of kindness can be as simple as holding the door for the person behind you, or writing a heartfelt note of gratitude. Brooke Jones is vice president of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, based in Denver, Colorado. Jones explains the science behind the mood boost that comes with being kind: an increase in levels of the brain's feel-good chemicals, including dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.  Not only does being kind make you feel good, it benefits the recipient of the kind act, and even people witnessing it. The RAK Foundation's mission is to "Make Kindness the Norm" through three areas of focus: Kindness in schools, the workplace, and the home. The foundation's curricula and ideas are being implemented in countries around the world. In this interview, Jones shares candidly about how acts of kindness during two traumatic times in her life, helped her tremendously. Random Acts of Kindness week begins February 15th, 2026, and February 17th, 2026 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. The RAK website is packed with free resources at https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/ Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

    28 min
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About

Still Time for Joy features practical advice for weathering life's storms, and inspiring stories of resilience.Host Sandra Levine interviews experts on caregiving, trauma, grief, and other intense challenges to provide a road map for survival. Heroes and healers, adventurers and innovators encourage you to pursue more self-care, reflection, connection, and fun—and your own unique and joyful purpose.Sandra is a television producer, filmmaker, and speaker who spent 20 years as a caregiver, first for her husband Michael, who had a brain injury, and then for her mother Dorothy, who had Alzheimer's Disease. She created this show to share lessons learned from those experiences to help you get through difficult times, too. Still Time for Joy is also available as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Information

  • Creator
    Sandra Levine
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Still Time for Joy
  • Show Website
    Still Time for Joy