ProAging Podcast

After retiring from the daily show in 2021, Kojo Nnamdi thought he would finally write his memoir in peace. Instead, station management offered him a part-time role hosting the weekly  Politics Hour . That semi-retired structure turned out to be a gift. “I now describe myself as semi-retired,” he said. “It gave me a place to go every day… and that helps a lot.” He contrasted his experience with hi...

Ever feel overwhelmed by bills, paperwork, and financial records? In this eye-opening discussion, host Steve Gurney of Positive Aging sits down with three experienced Daily Money Managers (DMMs) — Sharon Zissman, Paul Orsinger, and Ed Jackson — to explain exactly what this profession is, who it serves, and why it's becoming an essential part of smart aging planning. In this conversation, you&#...

In a candid and deeply moving webinar hosted by the Positive Aging Community, Daniel Zimberoff shared the intimate story behind his memoir  Wingman . A former U.S. Navy Top Gun pilot, Zimberoff never expected to write a book—until his father, facing the relentless progression of Parkinson’s disease, turned to him on the eve of his medically assisted death in Switzerland and said, “Danny, tell the...

In this inspiring episode of the Positive Aging Community podcast, co-hosts Steve Gurney and Margaret Foster, editor of The Beacon Newspapers, sit down with author Marilyn Raichle to discuss her book "Don't Walk Away: A Care Partner's Journey". They dive into Marilyn's heartfelt story of transforming from a reluctant caregiver to a joyful care partner for her mother, Jean, wh...

In a world where nearly 28% of older adults in the U.S. identify as solo agers—those aging independently by choice or circumstance—a groundbreaking program is helping participants redefine their futures. Hosted by Steve Gurney of the Positive Aging Community, a recent online panel featured Claire Solomon Nisen, a social worker and program manager at DOROT, and Pat Estess, a facilitator and solo ag...

In 2025, the Positive Aging Community platform hosted  over 50 live and interactive discussions , attracting  over 10,000 attendees  and  thousands of additional viewers and listeners  through on-demand recordings and podcasts. As we reflect back from early 2026, these sessions—spanning caregiving, policy, solo aging, health, end-of-life planning, and more—provided practical tools, expert insights...

Join Steve Gurney from Positive Aging Community as he chats with experts Lisa Limper, Joy Cochran, and Elexa Waugh about urban poling – the game-changing walking tool that's like cross-country skiing without skis! Discover how these specialized poles turn regular walks into full-body workouts, engaging 90% of your muscles. Perfect for rehab, balance, and fitness – from Parkinson's patients...

In this inspiring episode, join Susan Zimmer (co-founder and administrator) and Karyn Walsh (LCSW with 20+ years specializing in older adults) from NOVA Older Adult Counseling (OAC) in Fairfax, VA, as they share the story of their pioneering practice. Founded in 2016 as a mother-daughter collaboration, OAC was created to address the unique mental health needs of seniors—tackling grief, isolation,...

In the quiet suburbs of Pasadena, California, Jermaine Ee found himself at a crossroads—not his own, but his parents'. As the oldest of four siblings, Jermaine had always admired the grit of his immigrant parents, who in their twenties packed their bags and left their homelands for a new life in Oklahoma of all places. "I don't think I fully appreciated how big of a decision that was...

In an era where the global population is aging faster than ever—projected to have more people over 65 than under 18 within the next decade—staying in your own home shouldn't feel like an impossible dream. Yet for many, the transition from independent living to "aging in place" is fraught with hidden costs, safety pitfalls, and unspoken taboos. Enter Carol Chiang, an occupational ther...

In a rapidly aging world, where the growth of older adults is reshaping societies and economies, innovation isn't just welcome—it's essential. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Startup Challenge and Accelerator, now in its 2025 edition, is fueling this transformation. From 300 applicants nationwide, 21 standout companies were selected for their groundbreaking work in devices, digital h...

In the quiet chaos of a family crisis, a single phone call can upend your world. For Beth Pinsker, CFP®, that call came when her 76-year-old mother, living independently in Florida, faced spinal surgery and needed help managing her daily life—and her money. What followed was nine months of medical ups and downs, culminating in her mother's passing and the grueling task of settling her estate....

Sam Simon, 85-year-old ex-Nader's Raider and lifelong troublemaker, shares his raw story in this exclusive interview with Steve Gurney of Positive Aging Community. Diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's, Sam turns terminal dread into triumphant advocacy via his memoir Dementia Man: An Existential Journey (Amazon: https://a.co/d/f7bJ8vq ) and one-man play.

In a heartfelt conversation that blends personal vulnerability with practical wisdom, Joyce Kelly, an 81-year-old retiree from Silver Spring, Maryland, shares her unconventional approach to one of life's most daunting transitions: planning for aging. Hosted by Steve Gurney, founder and publisher of the Positive Aging SourceBook, the discussion reveals how Joyce turned her solo quest for a life...

In a world where aging brings complex challenges—from health shifts to family dynamics—professional guidance can transform overwhelm into empowerment. On November 5, 2025, Positive Aging host Steve Gurney led a lively roundtable with three seasoned Aging Life Care Managers®: Mindy Lee of ElderTree Care Management (Northern Virginia), Teresa Boring of Aging Well Eldercare (Maryland), and Jennifer T...

A growing 25% of U.S. adults—childfree or permanently childless—face unique aging challenges without traditional family support. In the Positive Aging Community's October 29, 2025 webinar, moderated by Steve Gurney, experts Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, PhD, and Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®, unpacked financial, legal, and social strategies for thriving as "solo agers." ## Redefining Solo Aging: Empo...

In a world where dementia affects millions, the narrative often leans toward loss and isolation. But what if communities could rewrite that story—one where people living with dementia not only survive but thrive, connected and included? That's the heart of the Dementia Friendly Nevada (DFNV) initiative, and few voices capture its urgency and hope like Casey Venturini, director of DFNV and a pa...

In a world that often glorifies youth, it's refreshing to hear stories that remind us: age is just a number, and reinvention is always possible. That's the core message from Sheila L. Agnew McCoy, a 74-year-old Chicago native, certified senior fitness specialist, and nine-year breast cancer survivor. In a recent interview with Steve Gurney of the Positive Aging Community, Sheila shared her...

David Emerson Frost, a thought leader and author, brings a powerful and optimistic message about aging, purpose, and health in a recent conversation with the Positive Aging Community. Drawing on his diverse background as a Navy veteran, college athlete, and fitness writer, Frost argues that while aging is inevitable, thriving as we age is both possible and within reach through intentional action a...

At the heart of the discussion was Linda J. Camp, the creator of  The Backup Plan . A Minnesota-based innovator with 28 years in the public sector and 15 years teaching adult learners, Camp's journey into solo aging advocacy was deeply personal. "I am one," she shared candidly, reflecting on her own life without family nearby and the long-distance caregiving struggles for her father,...

In a podcast episode from the Positive Aging Community, Steve Gurney welcomed Mary Ek, Director of Dementia Friendly America (DFA), and Beth Soltzberg of the Memory Care Alliance to discuss Memory Cafes—innovative gatherings that transform community support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. This article summarizes their insights on the origins, impact, and future of Memory Cafe...

In a recent episode of the Positive Aging Community podcast, host Steve Gurney sat down with Mary Ek, a key figure in the Dementia Friendly America (DFA) initiative, to discuss how communities across the United States are transforming to better support individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Ek, who has been involved since the program's early days, shared the origins, growth,...

In today’s world, aging brings both wisdom and challenges—yet conversations about dementia are too often whispered in the shadows of fear and stigma. What if a single one-hour session could replace those whispers with confident, compassionate action? That’s the promise of the Dementia Friends program: a global movement revolutionizing how communities support individuals living with dementia, and t...

In a world where many approach retirement with caution, Rita Collins stands out as a beacon of proactive living and boundless curiosity. A former teacher, entrepreneur, and world traveler, Rita recently shared her remarkable story in an interview with Steve Gurney of the Positive Aging Community. Now a resident at Roland Park Place, a life plan community in Baltimore, Maryland, Rita's path to...

The Positive Aging Community recently hosted a discussion on the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program, featuring Ron Hess, Executive Director of Cherry Blossom PACE. The PACE program is a comprehensive healthcare solution designed to help older adults remain in their homes rather than moving to institutional settings. It provides a coordinated package of medical, physical,...