Zestful Aging

Updated: 22 Mar 2025 • 395 episodes
www.zestfulaging.com

How can we age with zest, courage and vibrance? How can we tackle the challenges of aging--including ageism-- with awareness and skill? Nicole Christina, a psychotherapist of more than 30 years, interviews culture changers from all over the world and of every persuasion–including Python hunters in the Everglades and Hospice workers at San Quentin Penitentiary. Her topics have a humanitarian theme and are typically off of the mainstream. An expert interviewer and author of "Not Just Chatting: How to Become a Master Podcast Interviewer" Nicole’s conversations are deep and heartfelt. In these conversations, the challenges of aging are not sugar coated. Bodies age. We're not as fast or agile as we once were. 60, it turns out, is not the new 40. Acceptance is the key, although it's easier said than done. Our goal, then, is to navigate the losses of aging as well as to highlight the gifts. Many people report being happier when they reach 50 and are delighted by the freedoms they experience. They may have more time to themselves, and the new ability to discover what makes them truly happy. Many women are traveling solo and finding joy in their new friendships. It's a time to be curious and adventurous while our body still is in good working condition. It's not always easy, though. Trying new things can be scary. Nicole's guests are not super heroes. They are people who have found their own ways of meeting the challenges of aging yet still delighting in the life they have left. The Show brings optimism to the experience of aging in spite of the realities of expectable losses.

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One of the fun things about being a podcaster is that you can find great guests everywhere even when you least expect it. Recently I joined a community snowshoe and I overheard one of the volunteers say, “Yeah they cancelled world’s. Not enough participation.” That got my attention. I asked her about it and she mention

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Did you know that the gut is called “the second brain” and has its own nervous system? In this conversation we are going to learn about the gut brain connection especially as we age. Our guest is an expert in problems like reflux, bloating and conditions that women might complain about as we age. Dr Mary Pardee is a Na

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I first became aware of today’s guest when she co wrote the classic, groundbreaking bestseller “The Courage to Heal” 37 years ago. It’s a book I’ve recommended many times in my psychotherapy practice. “The Courage to Heal” gave hope to millions because it provided sexual abuse survivors with the first real map of the h

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Today’s subject checks all of the boxes I care about: helping those less fortunate, racket sports and finding purpose in our third chapter. Roger BelAir was a successful businessman (and was even on the cover of Money Magazine!) who was an avid pickleball player. One night, the show 60 Minutes aired a segment on Chicag

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By now you know that I gravitate towards activities a bit off the mainstream–like hunting Pythons in Florida and hiking with alpacas. And exercise is no different. You are never going to find me at a gym grinding it out on an elliptical. And the idea of a “boot camp” makes my blood run cold. Isn’t life hard enough? At

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My favorite kind of zestful ager is one who has had multiple jobs and adventures that are “off the mainstream” and who offers us a new way to think about our own aging. And I’ve never had a theme park designer on the show before! Wayne Lehrer is a vibrant and curious 73-year-old who has lived an inspiring and eclectic

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