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. 3h ago

    Ep. 730 | Aging with Awareness: Your Health, Your Money & Your Peace of Mind

    November is here, and The Senior Zone with Shawn Perry is helping older adults stay informed, empowered, and engaged! This week, we're joined by Margaret Foster, Editor of The Beacon Newspapers, for a conversation about helping young people succeed, understanding the factors that accelerate aging, protecting your finances from scammers, and exploring entertainment around the DMV. Then, in recognition of Bladder Health Awareness Month, Aleece Fosnight, Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Urology, returns to discuss common bladder concerns, changes we shouldn't ignore, and the importance of having informed conversations with our healthcare professionals. Also featured: our Weekly Vitamin, Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown, bringing news, resources, and announcements from DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Because getting older shouldn't mean getting left behind. Listen live every Monday, 10–11 AM ET, on WYCB 1340 AM or MySpiritDC.com. Catch the podcast after 11 AM on your favorite podcast platform. 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. 730 | Aging with Awareness: Your Health, Your Money & Your Peace of Mind

  2. Oct 26

    Ep. 729 | Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 & DC Aging Updates

    Knowledge is protection. Community is power. On this October 26 edition of The Senior Zone, host Shawn Perry brings you two conversations designed to help older adults make informed decisions and live more confidently. First: Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 Darnetta Bascomb, Project Analyst with Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s Senior Medicare Patrol, discusses what beneficiaries should consider when comparing Medicare plans, the December 7 enrollment deadline, and important Medicare eligibility changes affecting certain noncitizens in January 2027. Next: DC Department of Aging and Community Living Director Charon P.W. Hines returns for our final DACL quarterly conversation of 2026. We discuss the District’s work supporting older residents, aging-in-place resources, online safety, and priorities heading into 2027. Plus, our Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown, featuring information and resources for Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The Senior Zone — serving, informing, and empowering the 50-plus community since 2012. Listen live Mondays from 10–11 AM Eastern on WYCB 1340 AM or stream at www.MySpiritDC.com. Subscribe and listen on demand through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and other podcast platforms. Because the more you know, the more confidently you can live. 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. 729 | Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 & DC Aging Updates

  3. Oct 19

    Ep. 728 | The Courage to Choose: End-of-Life Options, Dignity & Family

    This week on The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry explores one of life’s most personal questions: what does it mean to have choice, dignity and a voice at the end of life? First, retired social worker Deb Robertson shares how her diagnosis with aggressive, incurable neuroendocrine cancer transformed her into an advocate for end-of-life options and helped lead to Illinois’ End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, widely known as Deb’s Law. Then, Marcy Lehman shares the deeply personal story of her father, Ted Rubenstein, who chose medical aid in dying under Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act at age 91—and what it meant for his family to honor his wishes. Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone has served the 50+ community since 2012 and airs Mondays, 10–11 a.m. ET on WYCB 1340AM.  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. 728 | The Courage to Choose: End-of-Life Options, Dignity & Family

  4. Oct 12

    Ep. 727 | Healthy Minds, Strong Voices | AARP Maryland & AARP DC

    Healthy aging means more than taking care of our bodies. It also means protecting our brain health, remaining connected, staying informed and continuing to use our voices. On this all-AARP edition of The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry welcomes Eleanor Nancarrow, Program Specialist with AARP Maryland, for a conversation about Brain Health Week and practical ways adults 50+ can support lifelong brain health. Then Louis Davis, Jr., State Director of AARP DC, joins Shawn to discuss the upcoming General Election, family caregiving and why older adults remain such an important voice in their communities. Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman featuring Joel Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone has been serving the 50+ community since 2012 with conversations designed to inform, empower, protect and inspire. 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. 727 | Healthy Minds, Strong Voices | AARP Maryland & AARP DC

  5. Oct 5

    Ep. 726 | Safe at Home. Ready for Life.

    What does it mean to be prepared—not just for an emergency, but for the life you’re living? On this edition of The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry begins with Margaret Foster, Editor of The Beacon Newspapers, for our monthly look inside the October issue. Then, during Fire Prevention Week, Tony White, Assistant Fire Marshal with DC Fire & EMS, joins us with practical ways older adults and their families can make their homes safer. And Shawn closes the conversation with something more personal: “Are You Ready for the Life You’re Living?”—an across-the-couch reflection on aging, fulfillment, preparation and making sure we’re not simply planning for tomorrow while forgetting to live today. Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman with Joelle Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. The Senior Zone — serving, informing 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. 726 | Safe at Home. Ready for Life.

  6. Sep 28

    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.

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (44)

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
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Senior Zone
  • Show Website
    The Senior Zone