Caught Between Generations

Does the prospect of dating again excite you - or does it terrify you? Have you pretty much resigned yourself to spending weekends watching Netflix with the cat? What would it take to get you back on the dating track?

Dating is tough, and most of us can find at least a handful of reasons not to want to do it. It takes courage, persistence, and a sense of humor to be successful at dating. This week Dr. Merle talks to Fran Greene, a relationship expert and professional dating coach, about what it takes to get back into dating after a devastating breakup. In her book, Dating Again with Courage and Confidence, Greene outlines the five steps to revitalizing your love life after heartbreak, breakup, or divorce. We take a humorous look at the rules of dating, get a lesson in flirting, delve into the world of online dating, and even discuss making a dating action plan to get out there and find love again.

Most of us wouldn't define ourselves by our age, but how do others see us? Do they see only an old lady with wrinkles, or a man with a cane, and think it must be sad to be old? What do you see when you look in the mirror?

Ashton Applewhite, is the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Aging, in which she examines the myths and stereotypes of ageism. Applewhite will discuss with Dr. Merle why we need to change the notion that older people are burdens to society with only depression, diapers, and dementia to look forward to. If it's true that people are happiest at the beginnings and ends of their lives, then there are plenty of reasons why older people should embrace this chapter in their lives. Our guest will tell us how we can rally against ageism in our society by challenging the ageist behaviors and attitudes around us and change the way we see ourselves, and the rest of our lives.

Are Americans obsessed with the pursuit of happiness? Would we know happiness if we found it?

Ruth Whippman is a British writer who thinks Americans are caught in a paradox of driving ourselves crazy trying to find happiness. In her book, America the Anxious, Whippman sets out to investigate how this national obsession infiltrates all aspects of American life and makes us one of the least contented, most anxious countries in the developed world. She will share her take on her visit to a happiness city in the Nevada desert that has one of the highest suicide rates in America. Her experiences are gritty and humorous, and may give us some insight as to what exactly we think defines happiness.

It started with back pain, fibromyalgia, or another long-term condition and the relief of a prescription to manage your pain. For you or your family member or friend, now it’s a crisis.

Over 15 million people in the U.S. and around the world are addicted to prescription pain medication.

Listen as Dr. Mel Pohl, internationally recognized physician and Medical Director at Las Vegas Recovery Center -LVRC-, addresses this public health crisis and explains how physicians and families can help individuals recover and deal with chronic pain, without using addictive pain medications.

He will also discuss the dangers young people face in access to painkillers and how the legalization of banned drugs contribute to dependence and substance abuse.

The number of parents who are cut-off and estranged from their adult children is increasing. Whether it is famous children such as Lindsey Vonn or Angelina Jolie, the heartbreaking tales of children who refuse their parents’ phone calls and e-mail and won’t let them see their grandchildren is steadily growing. Dr. Joshua Coleman, psychologist and author of “When Parents Hurt: Compassionate Strategies When You and Your Grown Child Don’t Get Along” speaks from the heart and offers listeners strategies for resolving family estrangement while surviving the pain. Mark Sichel follows with a discussion of how to cope and heal from broken family relationships. Mark is the author of Forgiveness: 10 Steps to Letting Go of Resentment, which helps people recover from family abuse and estrangement.

'No one else will ever want you.'

'You’re stupid, you will never amount to anything.'

'You're too sensitive.'

The phrases above all have one thing in common: they are signs of verbal abuse – and they are all meant to intimidate and control.

This week’s show will help listeners recognize emotional abuse and learn how to 'break the cycle of abuse' and begin the process of healing.

Guests and best-selling authors, Beverly Engel and Patricia Evans, have appeared on The Oprah Show, CNN and have been featured in many national magazines. They will help us understand the patterns of unhealthy relationships and tell us how to recover from the trauma of controlling relationships.

Whether you are the victim of emotional abuse or you are the perpetrator, and the person who cannot stop trying to control others, this show is for you.

Do you want to increase your energy, focus and productivity?

Dr. Michael Breus, (The Sleep Doctor) author of “The Power of When,” has a personalized life-hack, backed by biology, that will help you let go of ‘how’ and focus on ‘when’ you should sleep, eat, workout, read your email and more.

You’ll learn how to plan your day in sync with your body’s internal clock, discover your chronotype, and increase your happiness. It’s possible to schedule your ‘perfect’ day, every day!

Nearly everyone can relate to the topic of anger. We've probably all lost our cool over a trivial incident or been on the receiving end of someone's angry outburst. Anger is a normal emotion, but what happens when anger is out of control?

Dr. Ryan Martin, podcaster and writer of the popular blog, All the Rage, discusses with Dr. Merle the different types of anger, ways to manage our anger, and how to avoid the triggers that cause us to become angry. He will also give us tips for dealing with anger in others, and for diffusing situations to keep them from escalating. Dr. Martin will give examples of healthy and unhealthy expressions of anger, and why we sometimes just need to let it out.

Susannah Meadows, author of The Other Side of Impossible, faced just this scenario after her three-year-old son was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This Thursday with Dr. Merle, Meadows presents her story, and the stories of other families whose traditional treatments of their conditions were not enough. She shares accounts of people healed by alternate treatments such as dietary changes, or combined traditional/alternative medicine therapies after doctors gave them no hope. We will also discuss how the right foods can play a key role in healing your body, and how your mind can play a part in your recovery.

Most of us have mixed emotions about getting older, but we may not stop to think that men struggle with different issues than women when it comes to aging. Dr. Robert Humphries is one of the three founders of Vista Psychological & Counseling Center in North Canton, Ohio. In his practice, Dr. Humphries counsels many men struggling to come to terms with changing life issues. This week he will join Dr. Merle to explore the changes in men's life views and emotions as they age. We will discuss men's thoughts and feelings about retirement, regrets about career, marriage or family, physical changes, and becoming the primary family caregiver. Dr. Humphries will reveal some surprising information that both men and women can use to develop a deeper understanding of the issues that affect men as they age.