Growing Bolder

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.

After a 10 day-stint in the hospital with COVID-19, 96-year-old Master Swimmer John Corse is home and on the mend. He attributes his recovery 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.

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.

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. Just weeks ago 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 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.

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 is COVID-19 affecting caregivers? We check in with Dr. Elizabeth Malko, Florida Blue’s Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for Medicare Solutions, about the state of caregiving in the state 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.

Actor John Corbett is loving his career, loving his various opportunities to explore creative projects and loving his partner of nearly 20 years, the iconic Bo Derek. As he once again steps into the shoes of Lara Jean's dad in the popular Netflix film series "To All the Boys," Corbett checks in with GB about his path to stardom and shares what it's like to keep discovering yourself at various stages of your life.

Nik Wallenda is an acrobat, aerialist, daredevil, high wire artist and an author. The "King of the Hire Wire" talks to Growing Bolder about his boldest adventures and his plans for what may be most dangerous stunt yet -- a high wire walk over an active volcano in Nicaragua.

Martha Jo Mahoney's life changed in the most unexpected ways when she picked up a paintbrush and start expressing herself through art.

The works of influential fashion blogger, photographer, author and filmmaker Ari Seth Cohen are advancing an appreciation for an age group that's usually ignored. He shares what inspired his Advanced Style project.

What makes the happiest happy? And what can the oldest old teach us about happiness? New York Times best-selling author and reporter John Leland spent a year studying the lives and habits of six people 85 and older. What he learned forever transformed his views on aging. He shares their secrets in his best-selling book, "Happiness is a Choice You Make," and he joins Growing Bolder to reveal some of their tips.

Sheila Escovito, better known by her stage name Sheila E, is a famed percussionist and Prince protege. She's been performing on stages since the age of 5 and all these years later, she's still creative and passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. She talks to Growing Bolder about her latest projects, including a new album and the organization Elevate Hope, which provides mentors to students involved in art and music.

Teepa Snow knows how tough caregiving can be. She is one of the world's leading educators on dementia and the care that’s needed to cope with it. She offers her tips for caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's and reveals how to recognize when a caregiver needs a caregiver.

In 2019, British yachtswoman Jeanne Socrates, 77, became the oldest person ever to sail around the world unassisted. In the process, she also became the first woman to sail solo nonstop unassisted around the world from North America. Hers is a story of persistence, tenacity and determination. Fresh off her world-record trip around the world, she talks to Growing Bolder about her incredible journey.