Growing Bolder

Did you know milk jugs can be recycled but milk cartons often are not? Author and legal associate Jennie Romer joins us to explain what can and cannot go in the bin, whether recycling is working at all, and what we can do to change the system to better protect our planet.

Then, Dr. Nick Dewan, a nationally known expert in behavioral health discusses the sometimes painful process of coping with change, including how to make the transition from pandemic isolation to reintegration. Find out how our mental health can affect us physically.

Sometimes it feels like we'd all be safer if we could live inside a bubble. We'll introduce you to a Miami-based photographer who did exactly that at the start of the pandemic, resulting in a series of viral photos. George Kamper explains how each of us can find inspiration, even during the most challenging times.

Gretchen Rubin is one of the most influential voices in self help. She says it is possible to experience happiness, even in the midst of a global pandemic. She shares her tips for surviving these stressful times.

Also in this episode, there is no question that social ties create positive health effects and something as simple as a community garden can be the catalyst that brings a building full of strangers together. Learn what happened when neighbors started working together toward a common goal, raising plants and growing friendships in the process.

And finally, we’re going to introduce you to someone who has stood up for the rights of others his entire life. Larry McCool is still right in the middle of things, showing up at protests with his “No Drama Llama” Caesar. McCool explains how animals can not only light up your life, they can have an extraordinary effect on sad and tense situations.

Do we really become forgetful as we get older? Is cognitive decline inevitable? Neuroscientist Michael Merzenich, Ph.D., is considered the Godfather of Neuroplasticity. His groundbreaking research has changed the way scientists and researchers understand and think about the brain. He joins Growing Bolder for an in-depth and fascinating conversation to share what he's learned about proving old dogs can learn new tricks.

Plus, have you ever had an idea for a new product? What if that idea was so good you had to give it a shot and try and make it yourself? That's exactly what entrepreneur Angel Cornelius did when she dreamed up hair products made specifically for people with silver hair. And now her company has grown from her kitchen table to the QVC. She tell us how she navigated the bumps and bruises along the path to becoming an industry disrupter.

Caregiving is one of the most painful, stressful and complicated tasks anyone could ever take on. It’s a role Kim Campbell took on when her husband, famed country musician Glen Campbell, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She shares how they journeyed the path together during the Rhinestone Cowboy’s final years and what she learned from the experience, something she shares in her new book, “Gentle on My Mind: In Sickness and in Health with Glen Campbell.” She also reveals how it’s led her to advocate for other family members living through similar experiences.

And how has the COVID-19 pandemic affected caregivers? We check in with Dr. Elizabeth Malko, Florida Blue’s Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for Medicare Solutions, about the state of caregiving and how COVID-19 has posed a particular challenge to those living in assisted living facilities.

Want to learn more about caregiving? Click here to register for your free access to the on-demand Art of Caregiving Summit.

How will you feel about life when we’re in our 70s, 80s or 90s? A documentary filmmaker wondered the same thing. Sky Bergman was lucky enough to have a grandmother not only still living, but still going to the gym, at the age of 99. Sky turned her camera on her grandmother and other older adults and discovered what it means to live A Life Well Lived. She shares some of their secrets.

Dr. Roger Landry is a nationally recognized thought leader on aging and the author of “Live Long Die Short: A Guide to Authentic Health and Successful Aging.” He talks to Growing Bolder about some of his thoughts on aging and longevity.

After economically devastating shut-downs during the pandemic, the travel industry is surging back to life again. Who better to get ideas for a return to the road than one of the nation's most beloved travel hosts?

Samantha Brown has one of those dream jobs we all envy. As the host of several travel shows, including her latest, "Samantha Brown's Places to Love" on public TV, she has visited more than 60 countries, 250 cities and 40 U.S. states. Along the way, she's learned a lot of life lessons. She explains how much we can all learn by traveling and meeting people from all walks of life and offers her three best tips for people of all ages and all income levels to see the world, at a fraction of the cost.

Plus, can deceiving ourselves sometimes be a good thing? Shankar Vedantam is the host of the popular podcast and radio show, "The Hidden Brain," and a New York Times best-selling author. In his latest book, "Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain," Vandantam makes the case that sometimes honesty may not be the best policy. It's a fascinating conversation that will inspire you to use self-delusions to your advantage in life!

In Central Florida, hotels and motels in the tourist corridor serve as temporary housing for the workforce that is priced out of most housing options. When Rev. Mary Downey moved to town from her home state of Arkansas, she felt called to make a difference for these families, especially the children. She founded the nonprofit Hope Partnership, which helps homeless families get back on their feet. She offers encouragement for anyone inspired to make a difference but uncertain how to start.

What do you do when what you love to do just won’t put food on the table? We talk to Scott Brandt, who traded in his canvas for a career in classic cars. He did it by following the mantra — don’t dream it, be it! His expert knowledge of the cars of our past is only surpassed by the wisdom he’s gained about living a life of service, compassion and purpose.

What happened when a group of older women in Southwest Florida decided to put on their dancing shoes to stamp out ageism? Wait until you meet the Calendar Girls, self-described as maturity in motion. Not only do they perform at all sorts of community events, they are using their talents and passions to make a difference for military veterans by covering the costs of service dogs.

Dr. Frank Lipman is one of the pioneers of integrative medicine and he says there is a whole new set of rules to follow when it comes to healthy aging. He describes the health scare he suffered that turned out to be caused by the healthy diet he was on. Find out why he says some of the popular "healthy" diets may be doing more harm than good. In this in-depth conversation, he'll share the changes you should make in your diet that can make a big difference in your health.

Annie Griffiths broke the gender barrier when she became one of the first female photographers at National Geographic, but she didn't stop there. She helped bring women's issues into focus across six different continents. She's now dedicated to using her talents to bring exposure to a variety of aid organizations around the world.

Marlo Thomas has dedicated her life to making a difference. She first rose to fame in 1966 with her star-making role in the hit TV show, “That Girl.” Since then, she’s won Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, a Peabody, a Grammy and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She’s earned even more honors due to her tireless philanthropic work, especially with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Thomas explains how the hospital has weathered the Covid-19 pandemic and offers simple ways you can help these special children.

Plus, the bestselling author discussed her latest, “What Makes a Marriage Last,” co-written with her husband of 40 years, Phil Donahue. She reveals how they’ve lasted all these years and shares stories they collected from some of their famous friends, such as Billy and Janice Crystal, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan and Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.

Then, you’ll hear first-hand from a veteran whose contributions to our nation will be remembered for years to come. Retired Marine Colonel Art “Turbo” Tomassetti served a total 27 years in the Marine Corps. In that time, he fought in the Gulf War, flying Harrier jets in 39 combat missions, and later became an accomplished test pilot for the X35 (now known as the F35.) His plane and flight suit are in the Smithsonian for being the first person ever to have completed “Mission X”, which consists of a short (450 foot) takeoff, a supersonic dash and vertical landing all in the same flight. In his retirement, Art is continuing his motivational speaking and producing motivational videos. He talks to Growing Bolder about his years of service and his personal search for what’s next.

And finally, singer-songwriter Macy Gray has one of the most recognizable voices on the planet. She’s a Grammy winner with five nominations, 10 studio albums to date and a film and TV career. She’s been compared to everyone from Janis Joplin to Tina Turner. Her journey has not been an easy one, but she’s continued to grow and learn. Gray is also doing her part to change the world for better. She’s the founder of the MyGood foundation, created to support the loved ones of those who’ve lost their lives to police violence.

Science journalist and author Lydia Denworth presents the natural history of human friendships and evidence of their impact on your health.

Plus, Doro Bush Koch, sister of one U.S. president and daughter of another, explains how the stresses of politics led her to explore mindfulness. She and her business partner and sister-in-law Tricia Reilly Koch share details on their co-mindfulness project and reveal how this practice can improve your life as well.

And, Dr. Bill Thomas is a Harvard-trained geriatrician renowned for de-institutionalizing nursing homes worldwide. He explains how your attitude can make a bigger difference than genetics.