370 episodes

How can we age with zest, courage and vibrance? How can we tackle the challenges of aging--including ageism-- with awareness and skill? Nicole Christina, a psychotherapist of more than 30 years, interviews culture changers from all over the world and of every persuasion–including Python hunters in the Everglades and Hospice workers at San Quentin Penitentiary. Her topics have a humanitarian theme and are typically off of the mainstream. An expert interviewer and author of "Not Just Chatting: How to Become a Master Podcast Interviewer" Nicole’s conversations are deep and heartfelt. In these conversations, the challenges of aging are not sugar coated. Bodies age. We're not as fast or agile as we once were. 60, it turns out, is not the new 40. Acceptance is the key, although it's easier said than done. Our goal, then, is to navigate the losses of aging as well as to highlight the gifts. Many people report being happier when they reach 50 and are delighted by the freedoms they experience. They may have more time to themselves, and the new ability to discover what makes them truly happy. Many women are traveling solo and finding joy in their new friendships. It's a time to be curious and adventurous while our body still is in good working condition. It's not always easy, though. Trying new things can be scary. Nicole's guests are not super heroes. They are people who have found their own ways of meeting the challenges of aging yet still delighting in the life they have left. The Show brings optimism to the experience of aging in spite of the realities of expectable losses.

Zestful Aging Nicole Christina

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 47 Ratings

How can we age with zest, courage and vibrance? How can we tackle the challenges of aging--including ageism-- with awareness and skill? Nicole Christina, a psychotherapist of more than 30 years, interviews culture changers from all over the world and of every persuasion–including Python hunters in the Everglades and Hospice workers at San Quentin Penitentiary. Her topics have a humanitarian theme and are typically off of the mainstream. An expert interviewer and author of "Not Just Chatting: How to Become a Master Podcast Interviewer" Nicole’s conversations are deep and heartfelt. In these conversations, the challenges of aging are not sugar coated. Bodies age. We're not as fast or agile as we once were. 60, it turns out, is not the new 40. Acceptance is the key, although it's easier said than done. Our goal, then, is to navigate the losses of aging as well as to highlight the gifts. Many people report being happier when they reach 50 and are delighted by the freedoms they experience. They may have more time to themselves, and the new ability to discover what makes them truly happy. Many women are traveling solo and finding joy in their new friendships. It's a time to be curious and adventurous while our body still is in good working condition. It's not always easy, though. Trying new things can be scary. Nicole's guests are not super heroes. They are people who have found their own ways of meeting the challenges of aging yet still delighting in the life they have left. The Show brings optimism to the experience of aging in spite of the realities of expectable losses.

    Earth Day Special: Discovering Birding in Retirement

    Earth Day Special: Discovering Birding in Retirement

    I was thinking about who would be a great guest for Earth Day. I wanted to talk with someone who is committed to nature, has a zestful attitude towards life and has shown resilience in her life despite dealing with painful losses. If she was an adventurous traveler that would be even better. Then I realized I knew just the woman!
    Irene Mazzocchi is retired from the Department of Environmental Conservation in New York State and organizes annual bird counts in the Northern part of NY. Since her retirement, she continues to volunteer for environmental causes and even created a bird quiz on her private birding Facebook group. She’s particularly partial to protecting the birds who make their home on the dunes on Lake Ontario. Irene also travels frequently with a pack of her women friends, and is known as a passionate and energetic force.
    Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

    • 44 min
    Sustainable Art; Rethinking Toxic Art Supplies

    Sustainable Art; Rethinking Toxic Art Supplies

    Holly Greenberg is a professor of Art at Syracuse University specializing in printmaking. She’s long been aware of how toxic some art materials are, but has recently realized how damaging the mining and production practices are that are used to create these art supplies.
    Since that realization, she’s committed herself to stop using manufactured art materials. More recently, Holly became aware of invasive plants and has become interested in habitat restoration. In the last year and a half, Holly has begun to create works of art that highlight the importance of creative native plant habitats for other living creatures. Find out more at HollyGreenberg.com.
    Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

    • 38 min
    How My Rescue Dog Taught Me to Fully Love at 65

    How My Rescue Dog Taught Me to Fully Love at 65

    Rona Maynard found happiness at 65—a story she tells in her new memoir Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World. Rona capped a stellar career in magazines with a decade at the helm of Chatelaine, Canada’s leading magazine for women. When she disclosed a struggle with depression, she helped kickstart a national conversation about mental health. After Chatelaine, Rona had to learn to unwind—and found that her best teacher was a rescue mutt who had received his basic training in a prison. She credits Casey for teaching her how to fully love. Find out more at RonaMaynard.com.
    Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

    • 41 min
    I Tried to Deny My Dad’s Dementia

    I Tried to Deny My Dad’s Dementia

    This episode looks at the difficulty of realizing that a loved one is experiencing cognitive decline.  I met Darlene Mahoney at a recent podcasting conference and was struck by her honesty and willingness to talk about her discovery that her father had Dementia. She tells the story of witnessing her father’s strange behavior and how she couldn’t–or didn’t want to–see the writing on the wall. And we reflect on why the truth is sometimes so hard to face. Check out Darlene’s podcast at SeniorLivingGuide.com.
    Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

    • 34 min
    Now is the Best Age to Travel and Make Friends

    Now is the Best Age to Travel and Make Friends

    Anyone else need an adventure? Here in Upstate NY it’s been grey as usual, and I need something to look forward to.
    Today we’re going to talk about the benefits of traveling with Jeannie Ralston, the co-founder and CEO of NextTribe, which started life as a digital magazine for women over 45 and has now morphed into a travel company. Jeannie believes that this is the best age to explore the world and make new friends in memorable destinations, and that anyone who tells you to act your age is to be promptly ignored! Find out more: NextTribe.com.
    Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com
     

    • 35 min
    The Guru of Healthy Aging

    The Guru of Healthy Aging

    Over the past 40 years, Dr. Ken Dychtwald has emerged as a foremost visionary and original thinker regarding the lifestyle, marketing, health care, economic and workforce implications of the age wave. Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, and best-selling author of 19 books on aging-related issues. He also released a memoir in April 2021.

    During his career, Ken has addressed more than two million people worldwide in his speeches to corporate, association, social service, and government groups. His strikingly accurate predictions and innovative ideas are regularly featured in leading print and electronic media worldwide and have garnered nearly fifteen billion media impressions. He has garnered many awards, including a testimony from President Jimmy Carter: “I have been learning from Ken Dychtwald for years and am convinced that he is today’s most innovative and original thinker on the important subjects of aging and longevity”. Find out more at AgeWave.com.
    Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com
     

    • 37 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
47 Ratings

47 Ratings

TJB review ,

Awesome podcasts on Aging

Nicole’s podcasts on Zestful Aging are informative and helpful in caring for aging parents and caring for my husband and me as we age.

volleyballfrog ,

So informative!!!

Nicole is so kind and intelligent! She shares incredible information that is so needed! A must listen podcast!!!

SallyjFox ,

Engaging interviewer with great topics

Nicole is a very engaging interviewer—a great listener, with plenty of meaningful questions. I also appreciate the diversity of interesting guests she brings on! Highly recommended!

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