Christine Herbes-Sommers is an award winning independent film maker who has produced over 100 hours of documentary, dramatic and educational programming for PBS since 1976. In her latest documentary, “Coming of Age in Aging America”, she asks: what does it mean for a society to have so many people living so much longer? Rather than looking at aging as an individual predicament, the documentary makes connections to social policies and institutions, tackling topics such as how we work and where we live and how those arrangements could—or should—be updated to meet the current reality. Watch the documentary: aptonline.org/catalog/COMING-OF-AGE-IN-AGING-AMERICA Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at NicoleChristina.com. You can become a patron of the Show at Patreon.com/zestfulaging.

Christine Herbes-Sommers -- Award-Winning Independent Film Maker

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.

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Christine Herbes-Sommers -- Award-Winning Independent Film Maker

Christine Herbes-Sommers -- Award-Winning Independent Film Maker

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