45 Forward

As we head into another new year, we wonder what lies ahead in the coming months. We’re “curious,” we say, about what will happen in the November elections; what’s in store for us in new TV shows and movie premiers; the outcomes of our favorite sports teams; and what events will unfold in our lives, both traditional and unexpected. But curiosity is much more than simply striving to acquire information about things we’d like to know. In today’s episode, Perry Zurn, a professor of philosophy, and Dani S. Basset, a professor of bioengineering, will talk about a compelling thesis they present in their book, “Curious Minds”: that curiosity is fundamentally a practice of making connections. “Relational curiosity” connects ideas into networks of knowledge, and it connects the knowers themselves, both to the knowledge they seek, and to each other. The co-authors—who are also identical twins—will spell out three main styles of curiosity, which they’ve called the “butterfly,” the “hunter,” and the “dancer.” They’ll talk about what neuroscientists think is happening in the brain when people are curious, and they’ll describe the debate among educators as to how curiosity is related to learning. And Professors Zurn and Bassett will set out some thought-provoking arguments about how we should foster curiosity in the workplace, in schools, and more broadly in our culture—as a potentially important tool to help us navigate these challenging times. Curious to hear more? Listen in.

Most of us are well acquainted with salsa—the spicy mixture of tomato and chili sauce we enjoy with tortilla chips at Mexican restaurants and at parties with friends. But now we can learn about another kind of SALSA—no, not the Latin dance, but a zesty Texas-based initiative known as Successful Aging and Living in San Antonio—SALSA, for short. In today’s episode, we talk with Jane Paccione, the Managing Director of Collective Impact for the San Antonio Area Foundation, which created SALSA with the mission of transforming the community by advancing practices that improve the quality of life of older adults. A passionate and insightful advocate, Jane will explain how SALSA “brings everyone to the table”—connecting businesses, nonprofits, and government entities—thus creating a movement that turns collaboration into “collective impact,” an approach that is more likely to solve complex problems. She’ll describe the work of SALSA partners on issues such as housing, transportation, social engagement, health, and caregiver support. She’ll also talk about “Reframing Aging,” a key national initiative designed to change the narrative about what aging means, combat ageist stereotypes and language, and improve the public’s understanding of the many ways that older people contribute to our society.

As we close out another year and welcome in a new one, it’s an opportune time to pause and contemplate where we are in our lives, personally and as a nation. Are we happy and productive as we move into our later years? Spiritually fulfilled? How are we dealing with our challenges and crises? Are we finding ways to come together in community, to discuss and resolve differences, and move forward? In today’s episode, we talk with Rabbi Robert S.Widom of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, New York, who has been senior rabbi at the synagogue since 1969. Rabbi Widom has long promoted the development of strong community, promoting moral values while supporting a diversity of beliefs and opinions that make up America. He’ll reflect on his long tenure at Temple Emanuel, his experiences as a spiritual leader navigating turbulent times. As we celebrate a holiday season for many faiths, Rabbi Widom will describe his continual efforts to promote interfaith collaboration and dialogue through the Long Island Ethnic Coalition of Faith Partners—bringing together Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim groups. And he’ll describe his congregation’s highly-regarded lecture program, created to present a wide range of events and intellectual thought that reaches out to people, regardless of their background.

Since the launch of the New York Times Crossword in 1942, crossword puzzles have captivated problem solvers with engaging word games. For an estimated 50 million people, crossword puzzles are part of daily life, and for many, it is a lifelong passion. In today’s episode, Michelle Arnot, talks about her life as an “acrossionado,” a compulsive crossword puzzle constructor and solver who began this career in 1977 when she sold her first puzzle to the Times for $20. A renowned expert in crossword history and strategies, Michelle is the author of several popular books about crossword puzzles, including “Four-Letter Words & Other Secrets of a Crossword Insider,” “Crossword Puzzles for Dummies,” and “What’s Gnu, a History of the Crossword.” She’ll explain how the colorful world of crosswords has continually evolved, as well as reveal some inside tips, tricks and strategies for puzzle constructors, young and old. And Michelle will describe how she has blended her unique journey as a crossword connoisseur with her wide-flung career in publishing and nonprofit organizations around the world.

For centuries, science has been driven by human intellect. But for those of us who’ve grown up mostly in the last century, the course of science has been taking a dramatic shift with the ascent of artificial intelligence. What will science look like in the future and how will it impact us as we age? This is one of the key questions that Dr. Benjamin Lewin, the author of “Inside Science,” tackles in today’s episode of 45 Forward. Drawing on 25 years of experience as the founding editor of “Cell,” the world’s leading journal in biology, Dr. Lewin will also address some provocative issues, including how traditional scientific research has been done—and sometimes distorted—by factors such as pressure to publish, changes in the way science is communicated, and the shift away from hypothesis-driven science toward data-driven science. AI offers some stunning potential, Dr. Lewin notes, making it possible for scientists to get instant results from experiments that used to take years of work, potentially leading to new treatments of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease. On the other hand, the move toward using masses of big data to find correlations is a concern, because correlations can be misleading, and such a transition to “big science” may leave us with no individual researchers being able to see the whole picture.

As National Family Caregiver Month comes to a close, we offer the last in a series of 45 Forward conversations on a critical topic for every family caregiver: How do you care for YOURSELF? Because if you don’t, you will be of no use to the loved ones whose care is in your hands. In today’s episode, we talk with Dawn Shedrick, a passionate caregiver advocate who offers support, lived experience, and practical tools to help family caregivers reduce stress and enhance their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. The Founder of JenTex Training and Consulting—and her mother’s primary caregiver for 27 years—Dawn knows that many caregivers feel isolated, overwhelmed and burned out. She’ll describe an array of effective mindfulness approaches and practices, including “Body-scanning” and the use of her “Courageous Contemplation” Journal, to help caregivers transform stress to serenity. Having delivered mental and emotional wellness talks and workshops for many organizations, such as GE, Canon, the New York Mets and JP Morgan Chase, Dawn is on a mission to reshape the narrative of what it means to be a caregiver.

Connie Zweig has many roles in her current life: retired therapist, writer, Citizens Climate Lobbyist, wife, stepmother, and grandmother. But she’s most widely known as the “Shadow Expert,” a pioneer in the field of “Shadow Work,” an exploration of our unconscious mind, outside of the light of awareness, a cavern deep within your mind that holds our dark, forbidden feelings, secret wishes, and creative urges. She is co-author of several books, including “Meeting the Shadow” and “Romancing the Shadow,” as well as the author of “Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path.” In today’s episode, Dr. Zweig will talk about her evolving shadow work over several decades, a continuing effort to make a conscious, creative relationship with the tricky, elusive unconscious—the blind spot that eludes us no matter where we look. And she’ll expand on her shadow work in her bestselling book, “The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul,” which extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond for those who want to move past denial, fear, and resistance to discover their dreams and opportunities for this stage of life. Her mission is to redefine “age” and to help others reimagine it for themselves, just as we reinvented politics, work, relationships, and spirituality — from the inside out.

November commemorates both National Family Caregivers Month and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, a special time to support and honor the unique challenges faced by family caregivers of older adults with dementia. In today’s episode, we talk with two dynamic and dedicated project directors from the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation on Long Island who will discuss their roles in innovative and highly successful community programs serves family caregivers by connecting them with a circle of help that includes trained volunteers who provide an array of respite services. Dawn Hagen is Program Director of the Parker’s Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Initiative and Carmen Quinones is Program Director of the Hope and Healing Program. Dawn will describe how the Caregiver Support Initiative—as part of Parker’s “Willing Hearts, Helpful Hands” program—reaches out to family caregivers of a relative who may be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, providing an array of services, including free family consultations, caregiver education and training, support groups, caregiver companions, respite care and memory cafes. And Carmen will describe a new Parker program that supports that supports the caregivers of older adults with dementia and a history of trauma, providing person-centered approaches and services that can help promote the health and wellbeing of this vulnerable population. Together, Dawn and Carmen exemplify the tireless dedication of those who provide much-needed support to family caregivers, especially those caring for loved ones with dementia.

As we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month, today’s episode of 45 Forward celebrates a special leader in the elder care field, Laura LaFauci, who reflects on her years of varied experiences helping seniors and caregivers find the resources they need to lead more rewarding lives. Laura, currently the Regional Director of Community Outreach for Amber Court Assisted Living on Long Island, works tirelessly with families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and senior specialists in diverse fields every day. She’ll talk about her experiences dealing with the rewards and challenges of caregiving, the sometimes difficult and sensitive conversations families face when considering transitions for their loved ones from home to adult care communities. She’ll explain not only the basics, but some of the lesser known options of assisted living residents with particular needs or eligibility. And as chair of the Long Island chapter of the National Aging in Place Council, Laura will describe how this nationwide organization has become a valuable resource for older people who deserve to age in place—the place of their choice—with dignity, safety and security.

If you’ve ever seen the documentary, “Alive Inside,” a documentary that shows people with Alzheimer’s responding to personalized music—music that has been deeply meaningful to their lives—you’ve surely been amazed to witness what happens to individuals who are virtually unable to communicate verbally suddenly become animated, able to sing and dance with joy. In today’s episode, you’ll meet Dan Cohen, who was the driving force behind the documentary as the visionary Founder of Music & Memory, a nonprofit that began by providing personalized music to dementia patients in nursing homes via iPods and MP3 players. Since that time, Dan has drawn on a decade of field experience to found Right to Music, broadening his advocacy for “beloved music” as our best non-pharmacological tool to benefit individuals with dementia, Parkinson’s and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as help alleviate loneliness and despair. He’ll describe how his mission has grown to promote the widespread adoption of music-based interventions globally, educating healthcare professionals about the benefits of music; changing government policies to incentivize the use of beneficial music; and shifting the focus of music research to more practical initiatives. When he sees nursing home residents “light up” with their favorite music, Dan questions why can’t everyone, especially our most vulnerable fellow citizens, benefit from music that the rest of us are able to play whenever we want? By spreading access to personal music—a human right—we can make a meaningful change in the status quo, Dan says. There’s nothing to lose, and so much potential for good.