Growing Bolder

Jill Heinerth has one of the most dangerous jobs there is. As one of the top underwater cave explorers in the world, she’s explored icebergs, volcanic lava tubes and submerged caves. She talks to Growing Bolder about her experiences being the hands and eyes of climatologists, archeologists and engineers, helping them to better understand our earth.

Robin Wilson is an author, eco-warrior, business leader and someone on the front line of fighting racial and gender discrimination. Her story is pretty eye-opening. She’s a Black woman who created her own custom cabinetry line, with more than 400 dealers nationwide carrying her products, yet she still could not get financing, despite the fact the line generated a quarter billion dollars worth of retail sales. She talks to Growing Bolder about her struggles and journey selling her Robin Wilson Home line, a hypoallergenic line of cabinetry and furniture, and offers inspiration for never giving up on yourself.

He’s one of the greatest keyboard players in rock, yet few know his name. Patrick Moraz, who played for Yes and the Moody Blues, was never in it for fame. For him, success is measured in spontaneity, experimentation and improvisation. Learn why he believes the same three ingredients are key to living a full and adventurous life.

One of the most damaging things to our health is loneliness. Feeling alone and isolated is prevalent as we age and can have devastating effects. Relationship expert Susan Winter offer interesting ways to stay in the game.

Plus, Dr. Daniel Amen is one of the most influential psychiatrists in the country. A respected thought leader on brain health, he talks to Growing Bolder about the near-epidemic levels of depression and anxiety in this country and offers strategies we can all use to deal with these common issues.

Do you know much about the culture you came from? David Muir was born in Jamaica but has called the U.S. home for decades. He wanted to find a place to celebrate Caribbean culture but it didn't exist -- so he created it! Find out how discovering his roots led to a passion he never imagined.

And legendary swimmer Diana Nyad shares why the phrase "can not" is something you should never say to her.

Growing Bolder is all about being able to reach out and to be there for others. Communication may be the most important tool we have to do just that, but for so many of us, that can be a struggle. Long-time NPR host and author Celeste Headlee is here to help. She’s the co-host of “Retro Report on PBS” and the author of two books, “We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter” and latest is “Do Nothing: How To Break Away From Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving.”

Then, Jimmy Webb wrote some of the most beloved songs of the 1960s and ’70s, for everyone from Barbra Streisand to the Fifth Dimension to Frank Sinatra. But it was his collaborations with the late Glen Campbell that forever changed him. He reveals how Campbell’s death affected him and what he remembers best about their long friendship and partnership.

And Jonathan Cain, the longtime keyboard player from Journey, shares the kind of wisdom and advice that only comes from facing tough times. Don’t stop believing!

Denise Kaufman is an important part of rock history but few know who she is. Kaufman is the lead singer and bass player for the Ace of Cups, one of the first all-female rock bands. She and her band opened for Jimi Hendrix, the Jefferson Airplane, and the Grateful Dead in 1967, The Summer of Love. The Ace of Cups were ahead of their time and never got a recording deal.

Eventually, Kaufman moved to Hawaii and became a yoga teacher instructing Madonna, Jane Fonda, Quincy Jones and many others. Today she runs an organic farm near her home on Kauai, eats a plant-based diet, and is finally getting her due as a musician. The Ace of Cups have been rediscovered, and now, in their 70s, will soon be releasing their second studio album. She shares their exciting story, decades in the making.

Plus, it sounds so simple, but a daily walk may just be one of the powerful tools in your health and well-being arsenal. Find out why.

Then, Tim Minchin’s creativity apparently knows no bounds. He’s an internationally acclaimed actor, comedian, writer, musician and the creator, writer, producer, director, composer and star of the dramatic television series Upright. It’s already a smash hit in Australia, it recently made its U.S. debut on Sundance Now.

Minchin checks in with the Growing Bolder Podcast from his home in Sydney, Australia, to let us know about the trauma of shutting down his international tour due to COVID and how he’s adapting to life at home these days. Plus, he explains why he felt compelled to use his music to celebrate the virtues of monogamy and committed relationships, something that may seem at odds with his life as a touring musician and comedian

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.

Jillian Michaels is one of the most famous fitness trainers in the world, known for using tough love to achieve extreme results. For a decade, she was the face of the hit television show, “The Biggest Loser.” Today, she’s talking to Growing Bolder about her own personal transformation, from an overweight kid to what she’s learned about inspiring the kind of mental outlook it takes for anyone to gain control over their weight, their health and their lives.

Plus, science is taking us places we never expected to see in our lifetimes, but there have been fascinating advances that are rewriting what just a few years ago was thought impossible. Advances in hyperbaric medicine offer new and effective potential to heal the brain. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can offer unparalleled recovery from strokes and brain injuries. It can stimulate stem cell production, increase blood flow and prevent cognitive decline. The first hyperbaric oxygen therapy center in the U.S. recently opened in The Villages, Florida and we check in with Dr. Mohammed Elamir, a board-certified physician at Aviv Clinics to learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment and how this fascinating medical treatment may play a roles in our futures.

And what's on Marc's mind this week? Growing Bolder Founder and CEO Marc Middleton lays out the keys to active longevity and hwat it really takes to truly live your best life.

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 US 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.