In this episode, welcome Arielle Galinsky, Harvard Kennedy School MPP candidate, CEO and co‑founder of The Legacy Project Inc., and Teen Vogue contributor, to discuss the power of intergenerational advocacy. Arielle shares her personal journey, from her passion for aging policy to co‑founding The Legacy Project at Tufts, where college students interview and build friendships with older adults to preserve their life stories. She explains how these connections combat isolation, foster empathy, and...
Jul 08, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Welcome to another episode of Aging Unfiltered . In this episode, we are honored to welcome Ashton Applewhite to the podcast for a great conversation about pushing back against ageism. Ashton is a passionate advocate, writer, and thought leader whose work focuses on dismantling ageism and promoting a more inclusive, vibrant vision of aging. She is also the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism . Through her work, she challenges outdated narratives about aging and advocates for a...
May 16, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Welcome to another episode of Aging Unfiltered . In this episode, we dive into an important topic: employment after age 55, and the unique challenges older adults face in the job market. It was a privilege to welcome Elizabeth White to the podcast to discuss this pressing issue. Elizabeth is a leading voice in the movement for economic justice and a champion for older adults navigating the complexities of work and retirement. She’s the author of 55, Underemployed, and Faking Normal and is dedica...
Apr 15, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Welcome to another episode of Aging Unfiltered . In this episode, we have an important conversation about the intersection of aging, race, and representation. It was a privilege to welcome Raymond A. Jetson to the podcast to talk about this important subject. He’s a visionary leader, a changemaker, and the force behind Aging While Black and MetroMorphosis . Raymond has spent his life dedicated to empowering Black older adults and reshaping narratives around aging and equity. Tune in for an inspi...
Mar 18, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Welcome to another episode of Aging Unfiltered. In this episode, we learn more about Dementia Friendly America (DFA) and how its work is focused on creating communities that are inclusive and supportive of individuals living with dementia. Joining us are Sandy Marwood, CEO of USAging and Mary Ek, Director of Community Care Corps and Dementia Friendly America at USAging. Through education, advocacy, and local partnerships, DFA fosters understanding and helps remove the stigma surrounding dementia...
Feb 25, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Welcome to another episode in our series entitled: "Aging Unfiltered". In this episode, we talk to Dana Griffin, who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Eldera, a groundbreaking global platform connecting older and younger generations through meaningful conversations and wisdom sharing. Eldera operates on the profound belief that older adults are an untapped resource, uniquely equipped to address societal challenges and nurture the next generation. Eldera.ai is dedicated to fostering inclusive social e...
Jan 27, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Welcome to another episode in our series entitled: "Aging Unfiltered". In this episode, we talk to Shari Foos, a psychotherapist, educator, activist, writer, a former punk rock star, and the founder of The Narrative Method, a nonprofit program that promotes human connection by increasing empathy and tolerance. Join us as we speak about intergenerational connections and ageism on a deep and personal level. By fostering inclusive social environments, people of all ages can have more meaningful and...
Dec 12, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Welcome to our second episode in our series entitled: "Aging Unfiltered". In this episode, we address the challenges of ageism in the workplace and its impact on job seekers of all ages. Age bias can affect hiring decisions, career advancement, and workplace culture in ways that are often damaging. Join us as we speak with Janine Vanderburg a passionate anti-ageism advocate and the CEO of Encore Roadmap, where she partners with businesses, media, and brands to foster age inclusion and tackle age...
Nov 21, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 2
This is our first episode in our new Series entitled: "Aging Unfiltered". Through this podcast series, we are spreading the word about ageism, and we’re kicking it off intentionally on Ageism Awareness Day, October 9th. Today, we dive into the pervasive issue of ageism—how it shapes our perceptions of aging and how it influences our lives. Join us as we talk to Dr. Tracey Gendron, and explore the ways ageism influences everyone, from children to older adults. We’ll unpack the stereotypes that ho...
Oct 09, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 1
The Great Reconnection: The Heart of Community – Senior Services Associates This month, we're celebrating Senior Center Month, and today we're focusing on a vital resource that is the heart of community: Multipurpose Senior Centers. In the final episode of our series, “The Great Reconnection,” Gretchen and Minnie discuss the essential role these centers play in supporting older adults and connecting them with essential services. They talk about different programs in the Elgin Senior Center, from...
Sep 19, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 13
This month, we're celebrating Senior Center Month, and today we're focusing on a vital resource that is the heart of community: Multipurpose Senior Centers. In this episode, Gretchen and Irene discuss the essential role these centers play in supporting older adults and connecting them to critical services. Tune in to discover the exciting initiatives happening through AgeGuide's senior center partners and how they foster meaningful community connections. Visit our website for more information ab...
Sep 06, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, so it’s important that we stay one step ahead. In this episode, get essential tips from Crystal Cuellar, Rachel Granetz and Val Guzman on how to protect yourself against scams and how to find help in case you witness abuse. Hear how AgeGuide’s funded partners and other community helpers can assist you. If you believe you have been a victim of abuse or scam, visit our website for more information: https://ageguide.org/fraud-assistance/ Resources Consumer....
Aug 23, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Scammers are getting craftier, and it's up to us to stay ahead. In this episode, we interview a local older adult who fell victim to a scam by a fake residential repair contractor. Hear her recount her experience and learn how AgeGuide’s funded partners and other community helpers stepped in to help. Plus, get essential tips to protect yourself from fraud. If you think you have been a victim of a scam, visit our website for more information: https://ageguide.org/fraud-assistance/ Facebook: faceb...
Jul 10, 2024•17 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode, we interview community dining participants at Weits Cafe in Morris, Illinois. Participants shared heartwarming stories of friendship and well-being. Discover how these programs are transforming lives, one meal at a time! AgeGuide has a variety of innovative community dining and restaurant programs for older adults, where meals become moments of joy and connection. Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: a...
Jun 17, 2024•19 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode, we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month as we explore the impact AgeGuide and its funded partners are making on mental wellness for older adults and caregivers and uncover the benefits of investing in our own mental health. Our guest this month is Nathan Underhile, the Clinical Program Supervisor at Metropolitan Family Services. Nathan brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in aging mental health, caregiver stress, and an evidence-based strategy called Stressbus...
May 10, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Welcome to another episode of AgeGuide’s 50th Anniversary theme, ‘The Great Re-Connection.’ Join us as we explore the tangible ways that AgeGuide and it’s funded partners help older adults reconnect with what they love and the people they care about. In this episode, retired high school teacher, Christopher, reveals his source of joy and connection through volunteering for the Friendly Phone Calls program and participating in an intergenerational program offering tablets and tech support to olde...
Apr 17, 2024•21 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode, we sit down with Gregory Lind, a dedicated AgeGuide Board Member, and a volunteer for Home Delivered Meals at Kane Senior Council. Greg shares his unique perspective on the transformative power of volunteering and recounts personal experiences with homebound older adults. His efforts resonate with the overarching mission to propel 'The Great Re-Connection' in his community. At the end we take you on a ride along to experience what it feels to volunteer with Meals on Wheels. For ...
Mar 20, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Although people are living longer than ever, how long we live is significantly impacted by demographic factors like where we live, our race, and our socio-economic status. In this episode, we highlight one of the panels from AgeGuide’s 2nd Annual Aging Summit. Together with thought leaders in the Aging field, participants delved into the question, “How can we make longevity equitable for all?” The Equity in Action panel featured Ian Hartman-O’Connell, Director of Policy Integration at AARP; Prof...
Feb 20, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode, we continue our celebration of our 50th-anniversary theme, The Great Reconnection. We're discussing the importance of building connections and supporting older adults who are caring for children. We interviewed Sheree Stillwell, a grandparent raising a grandson and also a co-facilitator of a local support group for grandparents raising children. Additionally, she participates in State Representative Natalie Manley's Legislative Committee on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Sh...
Jan 26, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 4
"When I presented my bill, I said to people, grandparents will would die for their grandchildren and in many cases they are, because in order to afford things for a little person, you will you will forego your own medicines, you will forego your own nourishment. You will forego an awful lot, your own doctor's appointments so that you can provide for these little people." - Natalie Manley In this episode, Part 2 of our series - Supporting Older Adults Who are Parenting Again, we continue our cele...
Dec 20, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode, we recognize National Family Caregivers Month and continue our celebration of our 50 th Anniversary theme of ‘The Great Re-Connection’ by talking about the unique needs of a very special group of older adults – those caring for children. Some are grandparents, some are aunts, uncles, or even unrelated friends, but they are all caregivers who have found themselves parenting children in their 60’s and beyond. Both the older adults and the children benefit from being raised by a lo...
Nov 29, 2023•29 min•Season 3Ep. 2
This year marks AgeGuide’s 50th anniversary since being established in 1973 as part of the Older Americans Act. All year long, the Age Guide podcast will highlight the impact of various Older Americans Act funded services and the people who benefit from them. Across the region and the nation we’re seeing a movement toward “The Great Reconnection.” This emphasis on reconnecting with others in this post pandemic time positively impacts older adults, caregivers and all of us who are aging. It is ab...
Oct 18, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In anticipation of Medicare Open Enrollment that begins October 15th, Val Guzman, AgeGuide's Benefits Access Specialist, interviewed Jennifer, a Senior Health Insurance Program client. Jennifer called AgeGuide looking for help to find a Medicare plan that fit her unique medical needs. Val and Jennifer talk about the ins and outs of Medicare and Medicaid while giving tips on how you can navigate Open Enrollment this fall. Take the AgeGuide Community Needs Assessment Survey: http://www.ageguide.or...
Sep 29, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this episode of the Age Guide podcast, we continue our series, shining a light on Veterans and the services available to them. We want to draw attention to the unique needs of the heroes in our community who fought for our country and the people who care for them. We interviewed Jacob Zimmerman, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Kane County. He works tirelessly to maximize benefits for more than 18,000 veterans in Kane County to ensure veterans are cared for holistically...
Aug 31, 2023•18 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode we listen in on a conversation with Lance Corporal Frank, a former Marine, who served in Vietnam and now participates in the Veterans Directed Care Program (VDC), which allows Veterans to continue to live in their homes for as long as possible through home and community-based services. Frank shares his personal story and the profound pleasure of remaining at home with his dear friend as his caregiver. #veteran #caregiving #marines #theageguidepodcast Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGui...
Jul 05, 2023•26 min
Our next series will shine a light on Veterans and the services available to them through the Veterans Directed Care program. This program allows Veterans to continue to live in their homes for as long as possible by receiving home and community-based services. We want to shine a light on the unique needs of the heroes in our community who fought for our country and the people who care for them. In this episode, we interviewed Pat O’Connor, who was on the underwater demolition team in the Navy a...
May 24, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions women have made in our history and the contributions they continue to make today. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” In this episode, we interview Cathy Howard, a trailblazer who held many significant roles in her life. She broke barriers and helped pave the way for other women; her journey was not easy, but her perseverance and dedication led her to overcome countless obstacles. Hear Cathy’s amazing story about being...
Apr 14, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 3
For the month of March, which is both Disability Month and Women’s History Month, we honor the many older adult women caring for a loved one with disabilities. Today, there are nearly one million households in which someone aged 60 or older is caring for an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability and the vast majority of those caregivers, 75%, are women. They spend, on average, 40 hours week, the equivalent of a full-time job, in caregiving. In the next and last episode of our car...
Mar 09, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 2
On this episode we interview John and Sandy Miller, Co-founders of the Sounds Good Choir to learn how this unique choir offers respite to caregivers of all ages while helping people with dementia and other disabilities connect to music and artistic expression. We’ll also introduce our new Caregiver Specialist, Caitlyn Tolentino to share other resources and supports for caregivers. And of course, you’ll get to hear clips from the Sounds Good Choir woven throughout the episode. We hope that this l...
Jan 30, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this series of our podcast, we want to shine a light on the commitment and dedication of more than 44 million family caregivers in the United States who provide personal assistance to loved ones with disabilities and other care needs. These caregivers, also known as informal or unpaid caregivers, make up 21% of the adult population today. Most also work full-time jobs in addition to their caring duties and 6 out of 10 report that caregiving has affected their ability to do their jobs. In fact...
Nov 18, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 11
