The Senior Zone

Shawn Perry
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Society & Culture

  The Senior Zone is the DMV’s #1 weekly radio program dedicated to empowering adults 50+ to live fuller, healthier, and more informed lives — now available on demand as a podcast.  Hosted by Shawn Perry since 2012, The Senior Zone features thoughtful conversations with trusted experts, community leaders, advocates, and everyday people doing extraordinary work in aging, health, finance, caregiving, and purposeful living. From timely resources and consumer protections to inspiration, wisdom, and real talk — this is where experience meets opportunity.  Whether you’re planning your next chapter, supporting a loved one, or simply committed to thriving beyond expectations, The Senior Zone delivers insight, clarity, and encouragement — one meaningful conversation at a time.  🎙️ New episodes weekly 📍 Originally broadcast on WYCB 1340AM (Washington, DC) 

  1. 13h ago

    Ep. 725 | Know Your Rights. Stay Connected. Keep Moving Forward.

    This week on The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry puts information, protection and connection front and center. In Segment One, Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s Albert Reed, Senior Ombudsman Specialist, discusses residents’ rights as Residents’ Rights Month approaches in October. Saunya Connelly, Tenant Empowerment Specialist, explains what D.C. consumers should know about third-party energy suppliers. Then, longtime friend of the show Shememe Williams, Founder and CEO of My Active Senior, joins Shawn to talk about the organization’s growth from local DMV senior events into a broader effort connecting older adults with activities, resources and community around the country. Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman featuring Joel Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone airs Mondays from 10:00–11:00 AM ET on WYCB 1340 AM and streams live at MySpiritDC.com. Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 725 | Know Your Rights. Stay Connected. Keep Moving Forward.

  2. Sep 21

    Ep. 724 | Your Experience Still Matters: Mentorship, Purpose & Navigating the ICU

    What happens to decades of experience after retirement, career changes, or major life transitions?  This week on The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry talks with Dr. Deborah Heiser, applied developmental psychologist, TEDx speaker and founder of The Mentor Project, about mentorship, purpose, generativity and why the wisdom we accumulate throughout life still has tremendous value.  Then, pulmonary and critical care physician Dr. Lara Goitein helps families better understand one of healthcare’s most intimidating environments—the intensive care unit. What should families expect? What questions should they ask? And how can they participate confidently in decisions concerning someone they love?  Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman featuring Joelle Simon, the Later Life Lowdown, and another Weekly Vitamin for the road ahead.  The Senior Zone airs Mondays from 10:00–11:00 AM ET on WYCB 1340 AM and streams live at MySpiritDC.com. Listen on demand afterward on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and other major podcast platforms.  Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 724 | Your Experience Still Matters: Mentorship, Purpose & Navigating the ICU

  3. Sep 14

    Ep. 723 | More Life, More Meaning: Longevity, Grief & Living Better After 50

    What does it really mean to live longer—and can we make those extra years healthier and better for everyone? This week, Shawn Perry launches The Longevity Zone, a new recurring conversation on The Senior Zone exploring longevity, healthy aging and the disparities that can determine how long and how well we live. Dr. Jean Accius, President & CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, joins Shawn to discuss the longevity gap, the connection between community and health, and what individuals and organizations can do to help more people live longer, healthier lives. Then, author Marcy Kelly joins Shawn for a heartfelt conversation about grief following the unexpected death of her only child, Michael. Her forthcoming memoir, The Porcelain Heart: A Mother’s Memoir of Unexpected Loss, explores love, loss, memory and navigating that difficult first year. Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone and the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone—serving the 50+ community since 2012. Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 723 | More Life, More Meaning: Longevity, Grief & Living Better After 50

  4. Sep 7

    Ep. 722 | Your Fall Reset, Tenant Rights

    Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer—but it can also be the perfect time to take stock of where we are and where we want to go next. On this episode of The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry begins with a Weekly Vitamin encouraging listeners to make small, intentional adjustments that can create meaningful change. First, Margaret Foster, Editor of The Beacon Newspapers, previews highlights from the September 2026 issue. Then, author and empowerment coach Laura Brennan Ballet joins Shawn for a senior-centric conversation about creating a personal “fall reset”—reassessing priorities, letting go of what no longer serves us, and becoming more intentional about how we spend our time and energy. Finally, Johanna Shreve, Chief Tenant Advocate for the District of Columbia, discusses resources and protections available to D.C. renters, particularly older tenants, and previews the Annual Tenant Summit on September 19, 2026. Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone—informing, empowering and celebrating the 50+ community since 2012. Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 722 | Your Fall Reset, Tenant Rights

  5. Aug 31

    Ep. 721 | Your Home, Your Choices | Deeds, Family Wealth & Reverse Mortgages

    Your home may be one of the most valuable assets you’ll ever own—but making the right decisions about that asset becomes especially important as we grow older. On this edition of The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry examines two major homeownership questions facing older adults and their families. First, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, Attorney, Mahsa Alaeian joins The Legal Zone to discuss the potential consequences of adding a child or grandchild to a property deed, including ownership rights, estate planning considerations and protecting generational wealth. Then, licensed reverse mortgage specialist Laura Phillips offers a balanced, consumer-focused explanation of reverse mortgages: how they work, what they cost, who may benefit and when another option might make more sense. Plus, we close with Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone has served the DMV’s 50-plus community since 2012. Listen Mondays from 10:00–11:00 AM ET on WYCB 1340AM, stream live at MySpiritDC.com, or listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 721 | Your Home, Your Choices | Deeds, Family Wealth & Reverse Mortgages

  6. Aug 24

    Ep. 720 | Purpose, Health & What Comes Next

    This week on The Senior Zone, we’re looking at two important parts of aging well: maintaining purpose and protecting our health. First, Shawn Perry is joined by Scott Bening, former CEO of MonoSol and author of The Back Nine, for a conversation about retirement, identity, relevance and finding meaning in life’s next chapter. Then, Dr. Laura Williams, Chief Patient Officer at Ardelyx, joins the show to discuss patient advocacy, access to care, health disparities and what it will take to help more Americans live longer, healthier lives. Plus, we close out the hour with Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. It’s another hour of conversation designed to help us stay informed, stay engaged and keep living with purpose—at every age. Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 720 | Purpose, Health & What Comes Next

  7. Aug 17

    Ep. 719 | Comfort, Confidence and Connection After 50

    This week on The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry leads two honest, judgment-free conversations about living comfortably and confidently after 50. Dentist Dr. Yasmeen Ahmad of Mary’s Center explains what older adults and caregivers should know about dentures—from proper fit and daily care to discomfort, slipping, eating, speaking and affordability. Then nationally recognized sex educator, author and ageless-sexuality advocate Joan Price joins Shawn for a candid discussion about dating, desire, intimacy, companionship, touch and sexuality in later life. The episode also features Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone and the Later Life Lowdown. Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 719 | Comfort, Confidence and Connection After 50

  8. Aug 10

    Ep. 718 | It’s Not Too Late: Resurrecting Your Dreams and Protecting Your Health

    What dream did you once carry—and somewhere along the way, life caused you to put it aside? On this episode of The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry sits down with Pastor Scot Moore, author of Resurrecting Your Dream: “Everyone Had a Dream… What Happened to Yours?”. Together, they explore how responsibilities, setbacks, grief, caregiving and simple survival can cause our dreams to become buried—and why growing older does not mean it is too late to rediscover purpose, possibility and hope. Then, Dr. Eric Wargotz, President of MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, joins us for an important conversation about colorectal cancer. We discuss why screening matters, the fears and misconceptions that cause people to delay it, the screening choices that may be available and why feeling perfectly healthy does not mean screening can be ignored. Plus, we celebrate our Birthdays of the Week, hear from Joel Simone in Dear Grave Woman and share important resources through the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone is the DMV’s #1 weekly radio program serving the 50+ community since 2012. Follow the podcast, share this episode and send it to someone who may need a reminder that it is not too late to protect their health—or pursue what still lives within them. Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.

    Ep. 718 | It’s Not Too Late: Resurrecting Your Dreams and Protecting Your Health
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

  The Senior Zone is the DMV’s #1 weekly radio program dedicated to empowering adults 50+ to live fuller, healthier, and more informed lives — now available on demand as a podcast.  Hosted by Shawn Perry since 2012, The Senior Zone features thoughtful conversations with trusted experts, community leaders, advocates, and everyday people doing extraordinary work in aging, health, finance, caregiving, and purposeful living. From timely resources and consumer protections to inspiration, wisdom, and real talk — this is where experience meets opportunity.  Whether you’re planning your next chapter, supporting a loved one, or simply committed to thriving beyond expectations, The Senior Zone delivers insight, clarity, and encouragement — one meaningful conversation at a time.  🎙️ New episodes weekly 📍 Originally broadcast on WYCB 1340AM (Washington, DC) 

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn Perry
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Senior Zone
  • Show Website
    The Senior Zone