45 Forward

These are challenging times of stress, high anxiety and trauma across our society.

These are challenging times of stress, high anxiety and trauma across our society. On top of a confusing pandemic and ever divisive politics, we’re coping with a constant litany of natural and man-made disasters, climate change, economic disruptions and personal traumas and mental health issues. How do we create the resiliency we need to take on such traumatic times? In today’s episode, Elaine Miller-Karas, Co-Founder of the Trauma Resource Institute, talks about her much-heralded work to bring healing to the world’s community. Elaine, who has become known as the “Ambassador of Hope,” will talk about her widely recognized models to cultivate individual and community resilience, which have been brought to 75 countries across six continents. The author of “Building Resiliency to Trauma: The Trauma and Community Resiliency Models,” Elaine has trained community members, mental health, and health professionals in the aftermath of many disasters, from earthquakes in China and Haiti, typhoons in the Philippines, hurricanes in Louisiana, and mass shootings in California and Ohio. She is a leading advocate regarding the impact of climate change on the human condition, and a Senior Consultant to Emory University’s SEE Learning program, inspired and launched by the Dalai Lama. Elaine will also tell us about her long-standing commitment our military, working to de-stigmatize the impact of combat trauma, as well as her dedication to the world's children, working with collaborators to develop interventions for children, parents and teachers to help reduce the impact of trauma that affects our health and well-being throughout life. “Our body and mind are elegantly connected,” Elaine notes. “As we become aware of the wisdom of our body and draw mindful attention to the sensations connected to our well-being, a new world of healing becomes available to human beings across the lifespan.”

As we reach our middle ages, most people say they want to continue “aging in place,” living in their current house as long as possible. And as we enter the third year of this unpredictable pandemic, many families who have spent a whole lot more time at home have decided that, well, they really like their space, and now is the time to invest in making it even better. So, as interior designer Dafna Adler, points out, homeowners are transforming aging-in-place to “living-in-place,” creating a plan for the future that begins in the present. In today’s episode, Dafna, the principal of her own interior design firm, talks about a number of components of Universal Design, which incorporates design features for multiple generations, and may require some home renovations or modifications to accommodate changing needs as people age. But Dafna goes much further, taking into account both aesthetic and functional issues that improve safety, comfort and the daily quality of life. She’ll talk about how people tend to perceive colors differently as they age; how lighting becomes even more critical, especially on steps; how to declutter rooms and choose comfortable chairs; and ways to bring nature indoors, to take advantage of the calming and comforting benefits of the natural world. And Dafna will spell out how to plan ahead to get the changes that matter to your life now, while adding value that lasts as you age.

This month marks the one year anniversary since host Ron Roel launched 45 Forward, with a mission each week to help listeners, from Los Angeles to Long Island, make their second half of life even better than the first. In today’s episode, Ron will be celebrating his anniversary by sharing with listeners a number of vivid highlights during the year, inspiring stories of unusual guests, several surprising lessons he learned, and some of his plans for offering engaging and provocative shows in the coming year. In the midst of the first COVID winter, Ron’s aim was to provide a show that instilled confidence in his listeners in the midst of an anxious time—not simple answers to the challenges of mid-life and beyond, but strategies to prepare for a future for which there’s no road map. Ron will look back at the wide array of compelling show topics: how to find enduring friendships; preparing for life’s inevitable crises and emergencies; enjoying multi-generational experiences; preparing to age in place with safety and comfort; understanding the emotional mindset of people with dementia; combating social isolation and loneliness; and planning for successful chapters in later life, whether finding second careers, “solo-aging,” or finding new passions and pursuits. Ron will recall the uplifting stories of a host of guests, including mid-life entrepreneurs; an international corporate consultant-turned historical mystery writer; a Wall Street financial expert who became tech trainer for seniors; and veteran journalist who created a ground-breaking program to teach “news literacy” in an age of social media. And listeners will have the opportunity to call in to the show, and hear Ron’s latest thoughts on what we all need to age well, with dignity, vitality and security.

Several years ago, John Leland, a reporter for the New York Times, wrote a series of articles following six men and women for a year, chronicling how people in one of America’s fastest growing demographic groups—those 85 and older—led their lives. The series became the basis for his book, “Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year among the Oldest Old,” which became a Times bestseller, and, as he wrote in the Times, “No work I have ever done has brought me as much joy and hope, or changed my outlook on life as profoundly.” In today’s episode, Leland talks about his experiences writing this remarkable, hopeful and often surprising book, and the lessons he learned about our pursuit of happiness. Certainly, the examination of “happiness” in today’s frenetic society has become a frequent topic in recent years, the source of best-selling books and wildly popular courses among Harvard and Yale students. But Leland’s unique perspective explores what sociologists often point to as the paradox aging: How can people whose bodies and minds are in decline be happier than those in the “prime of life?” He’ll explain what happiness means, relating it to a sense of fulfillment and purpose, and how a positive attitude can help contribute to overall health and longevity. As he takes us along his heartfelt journey with these elders, Leland talks about the role of gratitude in fostering happiness; how older people find happiness alongside great pain, hardship and loss; and how to live in the moment—still thinking about living long—but not forever. Leland, who previously dubbed himself a chronic “grumpasaurus,” offers a valuable collection of lessons he learned from the oldest old, noting that the good things in life—happiness, purpose, contentment and love—are there all along, whether we’re young or old. We just need to choose them.

It’s called “The Great Resignation.” Amid the anxiety and unpredictability of the ongoing pandemic, more than 4 million Americans have been quitting their jobs every month—some searching of better opportunities, others just leaving the workforce entirely. The exodus of workers has left millions of jobs unfilled, creating operational challenges for many companies. And while workers across age groups are leaving their companies, resignation rates, somewhat surprisingly, are highest among mid-career employees. What’s going on? And what does it mean to those leaving jobs and looking for new jobs, careers or lifestyles? In today’s episode, we sort out all these issues with Scott Passeser, a widely recognized staffing expert, executive recruiter, and radio show host, who’s seen his share of tumultuous changes in the job market over more than 25 years. Scott will talk about the various factors motivating workers, from the desire for a better work/life balance, to the search for more fulfilling jobs—at least better wages, benefits and workplace environment. He’ll explain the opportunities that the pandemic has unexpectedly opened up for workers, but also the potential hazards of leapfrogging to new jobs—as well as the ways to get a better job—without having to leave your company. The host of the weekly radio show, Radio Jobline (LInewsradio.com), Scott will offer his observations—and solutions—to the latest strategies for job-hunting, which remains a challenging endeavor, as companies struggle with understaffed HR departments and jobseekers deal with the frustrations of being “ghosted” by companies, made to feel invisible by hiring personnel and processes that never acknowledge them.

There’s no place like home—especially as folks get older. A recent AARP survey found that more than three-quarters of adults aged 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities for as long as possible, yet many don’t see that happening. Enter NAIPC—the National Aging In Place Council. This organization was founded on the belief that although an overwhelming majority of Americans say they want to age in place, they lack awareness of the resources, services and expertise that make independent living possible. In today’s conversation with Host Ron Roel, Tara Ballman, Program Director for NAIPC, will explain how this organization has grown to provide a dynamic network of 400 members who are experts in health care, financial services, elder law design, home remodeling and dozens of other fields dedicated to supporting seniors. Tara, who is has worked in the aging services market for almost two decades, is passionate about connecting and supporting professionals serving older Americans. She’ll talk about the array of valuable NAIPC resources, including virtual educational programs, seminars and events, practical tools and downloadable guides on the organization’s website, and a nationwide directory of service providers that people can search by geographic area. Just as we make plans to go to college and pursue a career, we need to start thinking about a plan to age in place before we retire. And Tara will show us how NAIPC can open the window to that plan.

As a young boy growing up on Long Island, host Ron Roel was an avid birdwatcher—or, as they’re known colloquially, a “birder.” Over the years, Ron’s passion and support of birds has continued to grow, like that of many older folks. But it’s not just a hobby for retirees anymore. Surveys over the last few decades have shown that birdwatching has been one of the fasting growing outdoor activities in America, along with hiking, skiing and camping—and one of the largest increases in interest has occurred among people in their 40s. More recently, birding has surged during the pandemic. Not surprising, perhaps. It’s a healthy, inexpensive activity. It gets us outdoors, connecting us to nature. It’s relaxing and calming, but it can also be challenging and socially engaging. In today’s episode, Dr. Miyoko Chu, Senior Director of Communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, offers a wide-ranging conversation about the state of birds—and what it means to the future of our planet. Trained as an ornithologist and science journalist, Miyoko works with the lab’s staff, supporters and partners to engage people of all walks of life in learning about birds and protecting the natural world. She’ll talk about how the lab is exploring cutting-edge technology and citizen-science participation to transform people’s experiences with birds and to advance science and conservation. While field guides remain traditional sources for identifying birds, innovative apps and websites are speeding up the results. Miyoko has helped create and deliver content that provides interactive online experiences through platforms such as the Lab’s All About Birds website, the Merlin Bird ID app, Bird Cams, and Living Bird magazine. During the current pandemic, eBird observations have led to some provocative conclusions: 80 percent of the bird species examined were reported in greater numbers in human-altered habitats during pandemic lock-downs. And as we mark the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count, we should also note that in this holiday season of gift-giving, birds are one of the nature’s supreme (and vulnerable) gifts to humanity.

As we’re gathering once again with family and friends during the holidays, most of us are eager and excited to resume our annual social festivities. Of course. But for many people, especially isolated older adults, this is a very lonely season. And it’s not just these times. Research from the University of California, San Francisco found that 43 percent of adults over 65 say they feel lonely, which puts them at a higher risk for poor health. The COVID-19 pandemic has made social isolation worse, but it didn’t create it; this problem has been growing for years, spreading across nations, as well as across younger adults. In today’s episode, we’ll talk with three distinguished experts about loneliness and social isolation, and what approaches we can we explore to deal with these issues. Eddie Garcia is Executive Director of the Foundation for Social Connection, a non-profit organization that aims to foster evidence-based solutions addressing social isolation and loneliness. Marcia Slater Johnston is a journalist and Founder of Make Room @ The Table, an affinity group whose mission is to develop strategies to alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older people. And Dr. Carla Perissinotto, an Associate Professor in the Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, at the University of California, San Francisco Carla, has gained national and international recognition for her research on the effects of loneliness on the health of older adults. These experts will cover a broad, provocative range of issues: Who’s most at risk for loneliness? How do you define it, as opposed to social isolation, or simply being alone? What’s driving loneliness in the U.S.? (Compared to say, the United Kingdom, which has appointed a Minister of Loneliness.) And how are experts across multiple fields and organizations partnering to analyze these questions and propose solutions? You’ll discover how you can make a difference for yourself and for others to curb loneliness and thrive, whether it’s during the holidays or other times of loneliness and longing.

The news media has come a long way—a very long way—since the late 1960s, when Howard Schneider began his career as a newspaper reporter at Newsday on Long Island. It was a time when TV news was dominated by three major news networks. Cities across the country had multiple daily newspapers, slugging it out for readers and advertisers, while cable TV stations were just emerging—and few experts thought they would ever successfully compete with “free TV.” Young reporters were inspired by the “New Journalism” of Tom Wolfe and the Watergate investigative team of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Since that time, of course, the media landscape has undergone dramatic changes, and Howard Schneider witnessed—and successfully navigated—these currents of tumultuous change. In today’s episode, Schneider will reflect on his 35 years as a journalist at Newsday, where for 18 years he served as managing editor and then editor. Under his editorial leadership, the newspaper won eight Pulitzer Prizes and, as the newspaper industry faced the “creative destruction” of the internet, Newsday became one of the first newspapers in the nation to create news websites. In the early 2000s, Schneider undertook another major transition, leaving his career as a working journalist to become an academic journalist, as Founding Dean of the Stony Brook University School of Journalism. At Stony Brook, Schneider continued to “break news,” developing the nation’s first undergraduate course where students across all disciplines could learn how to become discerning consumers of news. And recognizing the critical and growing role that science and technology plays in our lives, he co-founded of the school’s Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, along with actor and writer Alan Alda, which trains future and current scientists on how to communicate more effectively with the public. In an age of public skepticism and a pandemic of misinformation and “fake news,” Schneider will talk about the lessons he’s learned over his wide-ranging career, the growing impact of news literacy programs at universities and high schools across the U.S., and his vision for journalism that not only teaches the journalists of the future, but also trains the audience of the future.