Growing Bolder

Best-selling author and journalist Craig Pittman is a highly respected environmental reporter, but recently, he's gained a following for highlighting the unusual, fascinating and bizarre events that make Florida, well, Florida. He explains what motivated him to write his hilarious book, "Oh, Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country." He also chats with Growing Bolder about his latest book, "Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther."

Sylvia Anthony has suffered challenges and setbacks but overcome them to earn a lifetime achievement award and a place in the National Women's Hall of Fame. She's also an author and philanthropist and at 91 years old, she explains what she's come to believe is the key to living long, staying active and making a difference.

Also, learn how a love of birds completely changed the lives of two women in Central Florida.

On this week’s Growing Bolder, we’re taking a trip back in time with one of the most iconic rock photographers in history. Henry Diltz was the man behind the camera for some of the most famous rock photos in history, including pictures of Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock; ’60s folk legends like Crosby, Stills and Nash, Joni Mitchell and the Mamas and the Papas hanging in Laurel Canyon; and Paul and Linda McCartney in a field of yellow flowers. He also photographed famed album covers such as The Doors’ Morrison Hotel and James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James.

Diltz joins us to share stories about this unique time in American music history. Plus, discover what gets him excited these days.

Then, we introduce you to a nationwide program called Gliding Stars, which encourages special needs kids to go skating. Paired with able-bodied volunteers, the ice offers exercise, independence and joy in a most unexpected way for both clients and volunteers.

And do you ever feel the “umpys?” Growing Bolder contributor Barbara Hannah Grufferman is a champion for women over 50 and a powerful advocate for positive aging. The best-selling author admits that she, too, has struggled with her self-image, particularly after turning 50. She explains how she learned to deal with what she calls the “umpys” — grumpy, lumpy and frumpy — and found a new mindset for moving forward with confidence.

Whether you or someone you know is fighting cancer, worried about the possibility of dementia or any number of other diseases, it turns out that you may be able to fight back by eating the right foods. That’s the message from William Li, M.D., an internationally renowned physician and scientist and author of the New York Times bestseller “Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself.” We’ve all grown up thinking that the only REAL medicine is pharmaceutical medicine. Anything else is just new-agey kind of feel good stuff. Dr. Li offers specific examples of foods that heal, and backs it up with evidence based science.

If you ever thought about making a difference, only to stop in your tracks because you thought you had to be somebody to create change, then we’re here to remind you of one woman who did exactly that. Erin Brockovich‘s story is so bold and so inspiring it was turned into a major motion picture starring Julia Roberts (who won an Oscar for the role). But that was just the beginning of Brockovich’s story. She continues to advocate for change and she’s out with a new book called “Superman is Not Coming.” She reveals how an ordinary law clerk like herself inspired extraordinary changes in her community. Get inspired to never stop fighting for what matters to you.

Then, what does it take for an entire community to create a culture of health? Growing Bolder goes to Eatonville, Florida, the nation’s oldest Black-incorporated municipality, to learn what happens when leaders and organizations team up to change the lives of those in the community.

When times are tumultuous, wouldn’t it be something to be able to turn to two of the brightest minds ever for some much needed wisdom? Author Douglas Abrams actually got to do that. He sat down right between Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and his holiness, the Dalai Lama, and moderated a conversation that generated so many eye-opening lessons, he even wrote a book about it. The book is called “A Book of Joy,” and Abrams says the lessons he learned then are even more important now.

Recently, one of our favorite people passed away. John Corse was a 96-year-old masters swimming champion. We caught up with him after a 10 day-stint in the hospital with COVID-19. He attributed his recovery and long life to staying active and keeping his body strong enough to fight off the virus symptoms and side effects of the course of treatment.

As the voice of the rock group Yes, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jon Anderson is the face of progressive rock. His creativity, his passion and his voice have not diminished over the years. At the age of 73, Jon is as energetic, driven and prolific as ever.

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.

Bruce Feiler is the creator of the NBC hit show “Council of Dads.” He shares how his own cancer challenge sparked the idea and what he’s learned about coping with the “lifequakes” we will inevitably face in our own lives.

Plus, Arlinda McIntosh shares her American success story. Once upon a time, she was a newly divorced single mother, desperate to survive. Today, her fashions are worn by some of the most famous people in entertainment. Now in her 60s. she’s connecting with an entirely new audience thanks to her passion for embracing social media.

And, despite the pandemic, are you still finding ways to remain connected to people? One of the most common issues we all face as we age is loneliness and coronavirus has only made things more difficult. Learn tips for staying connected through technology.

Finally, far too many of us aren’t getting enough exercise. One of the top reasons is the dread associated with hitting the gym that so many of us experience. We’re going to introduce you to a group of women in their 80s and 90s who’ve unlocked the key to staying active -- weekly tennis matches!

Ciji Ware is a bestselling historical novelist, reporter, writer, lecturer, on-air host, and Emmy-award winning television producer. She talks to Growing Bolder about what it means to “Rightsize Your Life” and writing her latest historical fiction book while receiving treatment for Lymphoma.

Al Roker is a beloved fixture on morning TV. He's the weather guy and co-host at TODAY and in his spare time, he dabbles in acting (on Broadway no less) and is an author. His latest book is called "You Look So Much Better in Person: True Stories of Absurdity and Success." Is retirement on his radar? He shares his thoughts on what these years should really be like.

Do you remember the songs "Hang on Sloopy" and "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo?" Meet Rick Derringer, the guitar legend behind those songs who wants everyone to know that he's still alive and well. When you become an international rock star at 17, what are you supposed to do at 70? Derringer seems to have discovered exactly what to do.

Over the past 40+ years, Dr. Ken Dychtwald has emerged as North America’s foremost visionary and original thinker regarding the lifestyle, marketing, health care, economic and workforce implications of boomers and older adults. Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, and best-selling author of 17 books on aging-related issues, including his newest "What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life’s Third Age." Find out what happens when two of the top thought leaders on Aging in America get together. Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton goes one-on-one with Age Wave CEO Ken Dychtwald.

Have you decided to try and cut down on sugar? Even just tossing out the obvious candidates, such as soda or desserts, may not be as effective as you'd think thanks to added sugars. Learn 5 reasons why you should be making every effort to cut down on sugar.

Joan Benoit Samuelson may be the most inspiring female distance runner ever. In 1984 she won gold in the first Women’s Marathon ever held at the Olympics. Then, at the age of 61, she completed the Boston Marathon within 30 minutes of her very first time, exactly forty years ago. Joan shares with Growing Bolder what she believes it takes to stay in the race at any age.

Gretchen Rubin is one of the most influential voices in self help. She says it is possible to experience happiness, even in 2020 and in the midst of a global pandemic. She shares her tips for surviving this stressful year.

Then, health experts are warning we may see a “twindemic” this year when flu season collides with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how to protect yourself and your family.

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.