Empowering Independence

Co-hosts Marilyn and Amy talk with Mark Ivy about his journey with low vision and how life isn't over when you lose your vision. Mark Ivy was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, where he served as an intern for Senator James Lankford’s office during his senior year. He currently works for NewView Oklahoma as their Financial Development Mana...

Co-hosts Marilyn and Amy talk with Dr. Kevin White about a new and fresh approach to your healthcare.    Dr. White is focused on the applied science of longevity and wellness. His goal is for patients to live long, live better, optimize performance, and increase lifespan while improving healthspan and enriching cognition, and physical and emotional health.    This occurs by delaying the onset of c...

Host Amy Shirola talks with Marilyn Olson and Dana Bellows about The GIFT Workshop highlighting the importance of being prepared for a crisis or life transition and how this workshop can make that a smoother process for everyone involved.     For more information on The GIFT Workshop or to register https://villagesokc.helpfulvillage.com/pages/10042-gift-homepage

Co-hosts Marilyn and Amy talk with Dawn Hopkins about her unique life experiences and how she lives without fear, doing the things she loves!   Dawn Hopkins is the President of Oklahoma City Town Hall for the 2023-2024 season.  She and her husband moved here from Scottsdale, Arizona, 6 years ago.  While in Arizona, Dawn ran the Sonoran Speakers Club for 11 years, bringing nationally known speakers...

Marilyn and Co-host Amy talk with Kay Stout about how her life was affected by tragedy and how she worked through it by creating a pet rescue. Kay Stout's experience includes her current work in animal-rescue consulting, as a public speaker/radio personality and as a writer/researcher/blogger. Her nonprofit management experience includes Stout's service as the executive director of Second Chance A...

Co-hosts Marilyn and Dana talk with Medicare expert Ginny Curtis about the tips and tricks to getting the best out of your Medicare coverage.   Born in Chicago, Ginny moved to OK when she was a teenager. She got licensed in 1985. She began selling products, as well as major medical, long-term care and annuities to state and federal employees. In the year 2000, her mother became Medicare eligible....

Cohosts Marilyn Olson and Amy Shirola talk with professional guardian John Branscum about some of the things he encounters as a Professional Guardian.   In addition to a degree in Oral Communications from Central State University (1975) your Guardian Angel client care specialist, John Branscum, brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to the field of home client care. With a Junior Accounti...

Marilyn and co-host Amy talk with Mark Cope and Glenn Cope about the passion that began Nerve Renewal and how it offers hope to so many in pain. Glenn Cope II is a Co-Founder and Director of Marketing who holds a BA in Advertising and has over 30 yrs experience in both traditional print, broadcast media, and internet marketing. His experience comes from both freelance and corporate settings. Glenn...

Cohosts Marilyn Olson and Amy Shirola talk with Chris and Dr. Nikki Buckelew of Mature Moves/Buckelew Realty about why they have a passion for mature adults and helping them transition between living spaces.   Chris and Dr. Nikki Buckelew are native Oklahomans who own and operate three Oklahoma City based senior-centered businesses. They have been married for nearly 25 years and have two children...

Join Host Marilyn and co-host Britni as they answer some listener questions about aging!   1:15 - Downsizing and planning for aging, we don't want to move from our neighborhood.  What are our options? 3:32 - I'm worried about what will happen to my pets should something happen to me. 6:38 - Mom is in memory care, constantly at the ER, what do I do? 10:32 - Mom has fallen and refuses to use a cane,...

Co-hosts Marilyn and Dana talk with CEO of NewView Oklahoma about how NewView helps those with vision impairments or low vision to be come independent.   Lauren Branch is the President/CEO of NewView Oklahoma and has been in this role for almost 26 years. A Houston, Texas native, Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Texas A&M University. Lauren serve...

Co-hosts Marilyn and Dana talk with attorney Rick Martin about why you need to get your affairs in order before something happens and just what exactly you need to have done to prepare.   Rick Martin is the owner and managing partner of The Bethany Law Center, LLP. Rick’s desire is to provide personalized service to individuals and small business clients in the greater Oklahoma City area. Rick spe...

Co-hosts Dana and Marilyn talk with Shelley Stutchman about going through multiple life changes in one season, and how her approach made a difference. Shelley is a recent breast cancer survivor and is writing a book shedding light on the physical and emotional things that happen to you that no one talks about. Shelley works full-time as a community liaison at Epworth at Home, Home Health and Hospi...

Host Marilyn Olson along with co-host Britni Bergman answer our listeners questions about aging. 01:20 - Conflicted about whether or not to take children to funerals 02:56 - When is a good time to plan? 04:39 - #1 thing to do to prepare 06:17 - My 3 siblings and I are not on the same page about what to do about our parents. 10:26 - When do I need to start talking to my parents about an aging plan?...

Host Marilyn Olson has a conversation with Oklahoma Aging services directors both past and present on Oklahoma's Master Plan for Aging: Aging Unbound, and just what that means for aging Oklahomans. https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/cap/mpa.html Want to attend state held listening sessions?  For more information click here . You can also pick up your copy of the Oklahoma Senior Journal at any lis...

Co-hosts Marilyn and Dana talk with Dr. Paul Rothwell about the difference between functional medicine and traditional medicine.  They also talk about ways you can take your health into your own hands to increase your quality of life. Dr. Paul Rothwell, family physician and functional medicine specialist. Fellow American Academy of Family Physicians, Board Certified in Functional and Regenerative...

Join Marilyn and Dana as they talk with Oklahoma Sheriff Department's Deputy Tara Hardin on how to beat the latest scams. Deputy Tara Hardin began her career with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s office in 2011 and became the TRIAD Coordinator in July 2021. Since that time, she has focused the program on crime prevention and specifically the increasing scams & frauds targeting seniors. She presen...

Marilyn and Dana talk with former governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, on what it was like to start as a small town girl and become a member of Congress, Lt. Governor, and Governor of Oklahoma. They also talk about what life after being Governor entails, from board positions to RV trips. Mary worked in the hotel management business prior to being elected to her first office as a State Representative...

In this short episode our co-hosts, mother and daughter team Marilyn Olson and Dana Bellows talk about what you can expect from the Empowering Independence podcast!  We are here to change the conversation about aging!