Loving Later Life

As we head into Thanksgiving, many of us are perhaps feeling more frightened than thankful. I have been trying to process all of my emotions since Nov. 5th as I know many of you have. 

While political discussions in the past have not been my jam, what we are experiencing is the worst reality show for which we are all cast members, like it or not. It has gotten very personal, so I’m talking about it.

And since that which is personal, is often universal…at least for half of this Universe we are living in, I hope you will walk this path with me. Please, join me.

I’ll see you there…

We are so fortunate to have Sky Bergman as our special guest on Loving Later Life. She is Professor Emeritus of Photography and Video at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her artwork is in prestigious museum collections, and her commercial work has appeared in renowned magazines like the Smithsonian.  

In her third act after a 30-year teaching career, Sky felt pulled by her dreams and passions in the direction of being behind the lens of a different kind, motivated and inspired by the love of her Grandma who was turning 100. 

She wanted to find other people like her Grandmother who could be her role models for aging. Sky spent 4 years interviewing 40 ppl with a collective life experience of 3000 years and created the film Lives Well Lived currently on PBS, Amazon, and iTunes to name a few. Her goal was to discover their secret, and she found that they had 3 things in common, which she shares with us, and more!

You will feel incredibly positive about aging after watching her film. It has been so popular that she then wrote the book "Lives Well Lived — GENERATIONS. " The first half is about her experiences making the film and the lessons she learned. The second half is about the amazing people around the globe who are doing work connecting generations.

Sky’s passion is creating films and projects that inspire intergenerational connections, emphasizing the power of shared stories. And after listening to our conversation, you will feel the power of her story and very different about aging.

Welcome back to Loving Later Life and if you are a returning Loving Later Lifer I so appreciate you. If you are new, thank you, welcome and this is a hell of a first episode to hear! And I’m hoping it won’t be your last.

I’m going out on a limb with this one while reminding myself of phrases like, ‘not everyone will like what you have to say, and that’s ok,’ or Hamilton’s, "If you stand for nothing, what will you fall for" or as Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,” and yes, lastly the saying: "If you see something, say something."

I have been silent, and I’m at the point now where I feel if I don’t say something, it will make me complicit in history repeating itself, and as MLK said, in watching our lives (as we know it) begin to end. I decided that I can’t let the fear of losing listeners or of upsetting anyone prevent me from sharing a perspective that I’ve been thinking about, and then heard it stated much more eloquently by a historian. So, I ask that you please hang in for thirteen minutes until the end, no matter if you agree or not.

Welcome back to another episode of Loving Later Life!

This episode is another first! My conversation is with a couple. In their 80’s! And, they’re not just any couple! They are nationally recognized relationship therapists Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers.

Gloria and Frank are currently serving as spokespersons for the dating app Silver Singles (they actually met online with this app). They were recently featured on NBC Tampa Bay's Bloom TV, Yahoo! Life, Men's Health, The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison, and Whine Down with Jana Kramer, among others.

Dr. Gloria Horsley is a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical nurse specialist. She is the president and co-founder of the Open to Hope Foundation and co-hosts the award-winning “Open to Hope” TV series and podcast.

Dr. Frank Powers, Ph.D., has been a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale Arizona for the last 30 years. He served as the chairman of the Psychiatric Security Review Board for the State of Arizona and is a past psychology professor at Scottsdale Community College.

Gloria and Frank have written a book together called,  OPEN TO LOVE: THE SECRETS OF SENIOR DATING. Writing a book together was the last thing they thought they'd be doing at this stage of their lives, but the magic that came with finding each other later in life compelled them to share their story.  And they wanted to do their part in making things a little bit easier and more fun when tackling the world of dating.

You will not be able to listen to this without smiling the entire time. We had so much fun, and we also had fun navigating some internet issues including my power going out in the middle of our conversation! 

Come join us in the fun!

This is a first for Loving Later Life because I have two incredible ladies joining me! We are talking about a topic that is all too common for many people: emotional and binge eating. 

Ellen Shuman has worked in the eating disorders field for 30 years as a researcher, director of a Binge Eating Disorder Treatment Center, and as a past President of the Binge Eating Disorder Association. Her favorite role of all however, has been as a “Binge Eating Coach.”

Ellen teaches emotional regulation tools to people who struggle with emotional and binge eating. She is the founder of A Weigh Out (w-e-i-g-h) Life Coaching; Freedom from Emotional Eating, Food & Weight Obsession. Ellen provides individual telephone coaching services to people worldwide. 

When it comes to helping people binge eating and compulsively overeating, she brings a unique depth of understanding, empathy, proven and cutting-edge tools to her clients having lived the struggle personally. She shows others once and for all, how to find their hope again.

Ellen was also a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1992, on the show where Oprah spoke openly about her own struggles with emotional eating, for the first time ever. Prior to her work in the Wellness Field, Ellen was a journalist. Her documentaries and news series on Binge Eating Disorder won Emmys and a Clarion Award. 

Also joining us is a client of Ellen’s, Kathy Blackburn. Kathy shares vulnerably and beautifully her personal experience in overcoming her challenges with emotional eating. 

After listening to this episode, you will have a greater understanding of this all-too-common issue, and if you deal with this, you will also feel understood and hopeful, because there is a way out.

We hope you’ll listen and share to help others…

Welcome back to what could be called Season 3 of Loving Later Life! 

I already have some awe-inspiring women guests lined up who will amaze and enlighten you, so be sure to follow Loving Later Life so you don’t miss anything.

This first episode is very special to me because I share with you a real time decision I’ve made as a result of a challenging time.

My decision is also one based on sobering facts from indisputable resources. It is something that I need, and based on the data, it is something we need as a group. 

I hope you’ll join me by listening to this episode, and on this journey moving forward.

I’ve had many incredible women join me in conversation for many Loving Later Life episodes.

As you may remember, with each guest, I ask the same 3 questions at the end of each conversation:

1. What for you have been the most rewarding things about getting older?

2. What are some of the most important lessons you have learned in your life.

3. With all that you have learned, what life advice would you pass along?

In this anniversary episode I put together a highlight reel of their answers, taking one question at a time.

Listening to this again you will be reminded of the wisdom they shared. There is gold in them there conversations!

Take a listen and share it forward!

Encore encore Rachel Wright! This episode is hugely important to me as Rachel’s mom.

I am still getting messages as to how it has helped others by giving them an understanding about other lifestyle choices…

“I was SO GRATEFUL to be able to step into a conversation (on this topic) with some knowledge provided so candidly and thoroughly by you and Rachel!“

My daughter Rachel MA, LMFT  is a distinguished psychotherapist and is non-monogamous/polyamorous... and she and her partners Yair and Ashley just had a beautiful baby boy. 

In this episode, we talk about how to have tough conversations and improve communication in all of your relationships.

The 2nd half is about her non-monogamous/polyamorous life, its challenges, misconceptions and much more.

Someone recently said to me that they listened to the first part of the episode but stopped listening to the rest about non-monogamy because it’s not how this person chooses to live.

While this lifestyle isn’t for everyone it is so important to learn about it.

Why?

In our current divisive climate we all know that when there is ignorance, there is judging and othering, which can lead to bullying, violence, loss of rights, freedoms and isolation.

We need more understanding, kindness and love in this world and it starts with getting to know each other better.

I hope you’ll listen to this episode at least once and share it to help open more minds and hearts and hopefully encourage understanding and acceptance for all kinds of love.

What is Ageism? Ableism? What are everyday ageism’s? What can we do to liberate ourselves from the challenges of aging?

I am so excited for you to hear this conversation that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t said what the f*ck! I’ve always said, it never hurts to ask, and I am walking that walk these days.

I first saw Ashton Applewhite on CBS Sunday Morning and I was pulled to reach out to even though I felt it would be a long shot.

Loving Later Lifer’s, I am beyond happy to say that she said yes. Ashton is an internationally recognized expert on ageism, and the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism.

A co-founder of the Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse, she speaks widely at venues that have included the TED mainstage, the United Nations and is at the forefront of the emerging movement to raise awareness of ageism and to dismantle it.

In 2022 the Decade of Healthy Aging, a UN + WHO collaboration, named Ashton one of the Healthy Aging 50: fifty leaders transforming the world to be a better place to grow older.

I know without a doubt that you will find this a compelling conversation. Treat yourself to this 47-minute episode to gain awareness about this ‘ism’ that can be used as a catalyst for change.

Join us!

What stories are you telling yourself?

Have you wanted to take a trip but you “can’t” because you have no one to go with you.

Do you put makeup on before going to the gym because you’ll see people you know and don’t want them to see you “that way?”

Have you wanted to sing at a karaoke bar, but you “know” that people will think you’re awful.

Do you not wear a bathing suit because you don’t want to be seen in public because you think everyone will notice the dimples in your thighs?

Are you unhappy in a relationship but “can’t leave because you’re too old to start again on your own?”

Join me as I share how to notice when we are telling ourselves these stories, and what to do about it so we can unlearn them and live a later life we love!  As vulnerable as it feels, I use one of mine to show you what I’m doing about it in real time.

Join me!