This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Elizabeth Stamm, a board-certified music therapist, about the transformative power of music therapy in the lives of older adults. The discussion explores what music therapy is, how it addresses non-musical goals, and the importance of creativity, improvisation, and human connection in the healing process. Elizabeth shares personal stories illustrating the impact of music therapy on agency, achievement, and belonging, while emphasizing the value of authenticity and abundance in aging. Listeners will gain insight into the therapeutic process, the role of empowerment, the unique ways music can foster healing and self-expression at any stage of life, and so much more.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Symposium Announcement and Theme (1:15)
• Liz’s Path to Music Therapy (1:31)
• Defining Music Therapy (2:50)
• Training and Client Participation (5:30)
• Empowerment and Overcoming Musical Trauma (6:56)
• Creativity and Humanism in Therapy (9:04)
• Music and the Brain (11:30)
• Inspiring Outcomes: Parkinson’s Example (13:48)
• Inspiring Outcomes: Dementia Example (16:40)
• Agency, Achievement, and Belonging (19:57)
• Clinical Improvisation Defined (22:07)
• Spirituality and “Free Sense” in Music (24:00)
• Catharsis and Emotional Expression (26:01)
• Abundant Aging Questions: Personal Aging Reflections (27:38)
• Connecting with Liz and Parting Thoughts (32:38)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Kelly de la Rocha, Founder of poemRENOVATION, a creative platform that allows people to reimagine poetry by rearranging words from literary passages. Born from her personal experience of using poetry to process emotions, the digital and print-based tool has found remarkable success across generations, particularly in elder care settings. Kelly demonstrates how poemRENOVATION promotes creativity, mental wellness, and meaningful connections, especially for seniors in memory care and independent living communities. Through intergenerational workshops, collaborations with organizations like Opening Minds Through Art, and her passionate approach to creativity, Kelly illustrates that artistic expression knows no age limit. The episode highlights the transformative power of words, the importance of play in aging, and how simple creative exercises can unlock joy, memories, and self-expression for people of all ages. Don’t miss it!

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Origins of poemRENOVATION (1:21)
• Transition to Digital and Tactile Formats (3:13)
• Selecting Daily Passages (4:47)
• Facilitator Training and Memory Care Impact (6:50)
• Entrepreneur in Residence Experience (7:56)
• Observations Across Living Settings (9:07)
• Group Workshops and Creative Sharing (12:27)
• Comparison with Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) (15:38)
• Expanding Intergenerational Connections (19:07)
• Saving, Sharing, and Community-Building (21:23)
• Creativity Through Constraints (22:19)
• Upcoming Symposium and Collaboration (23:28)
• Abundant Aging Questions to Close (25:32)
• Connecting with Kelly and Parting Thoughts (27:37)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Margaret McDonald, an award-winning writer and pro-aging advocate. During the conversation, Margaret shares her passionate journey combating ageism through language, art, and personal experience. She discusses how her own workplace challenges in her late 40s sparked her advocacy, highlighting the pervasive and often subtle ways ageism manifests in everyday conversations, media, and cultural attitudes. Margaret’s work includes a daily blog writing 100-word essays on everyday ageism and creating the "Aging is Living" yard signs and artwork to challenge negative stereotypes about growing older. Key takeaways include the importance of recognizing and challenging ageist language, understanding that aging is a natural, dynamic process of continued growth and self-discovery, the need to shift cultural narratives that diminish or mock older adults, and so much more.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Margaret’s Journey into Aging Advocacy (1:41)
• Discovering Ageism Resources and Community (2:29)
• The Power of Language and Everyday Ageism (5:11)
• Writing 100 Words on Everyday Ageism (7:28)
• Why Words Matter: Research and Cultural Shifts (9:24)
• Changing Language and Cultural Perceptions (12:31)
• Generational Differences and Awkward Moments (16:09)
• Advocating for Better Representation in Media (20:10)
• Encouraging Others to Track Ageist References (23:08)
• Spreading Positive Aging Messages (26:41)
• Imagining a Future Without Ageism (29:13)
• Where to Find Margaret and Her Work (32:21)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (36:59)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes social gerontologist Jeanette Leardi, social gerontologist, community educator, public speaker, and author of the recently published book, “Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older.” During the conversation, Jeanette discusses strategies for positive aging, including being flexible, skeptical, broad-minded, and daring. Jeanette also addresses ageism, sharing personal experiences of combating stereotypes, such as writing to a greeting card company to protest age-discriminatory cards. She emphasizes the "power of one" - how individuals can make meaningful changes by speaking out against age-related discrimination. Key takeaways include the importance of intergenerational relationships, challenging negative aging stereotypes, recognizing older adults as valuable, resilient contributors to society, and so much more.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Jeanette’s Path to Gerontology (2:22)
• Defining Social Gerontology (4:27)
• Challenging Aging Stereotypes and Dementia Myths (5:17)
• The Concept of “Aging Sideways” (6:18)
• Strategy #1: Flexibility and Humor (8:40)
• Strategy #2: Skepticism and Reframing Narratives (10:33)
• Strategy #3: Broad-Mindedness and “Yes, And” (12:21)
• Strategy #4: Daring and Intergenerational Relationships (14:09)
• Metaphors: Weeds and “Over the Hill” (17:16)
• Resilience and Mastery in Aging (20:05)
• The Power of One: Advocacy and Change (22:16)
• Influence in Everyday Life and Media (26:09)
• Resources for Combating Ageism (29:12)
• Competency vs. Age Limits (34:23)
• Connecting with Jeanette at jeanetteleardi.com (37:14)
• Abundant Aging Questions to Close (37:47)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (41:49)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Erin Maruzzella, Founder and Managing Partner of Healthspan Business Partners. Erin shares her journey from speech therapy to systems thinking in healthcare and technology. She discusses the critical intersections of aging, digital access, and AI, emphasizing the importance of upstream problem-solving and inclusive design. Erin also explores the digital divide, highlighting how technology can both connect and exclude older adults, and warns about the potential risks of AI, stressing the need for careful, ethical implementation. Her key message is that aging is a lifelong process, and communities should focus on supporting transitions and creating systems that serve people of all ages. Through personal stories and professional insights, she advocates for age-positive perspectives, cross-sector collaboration, thoughtful innovation that considers long-term societal impacts, and so much more.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Erin’s Journey into the Aging Space (1:29)
• Systems Thinking and Aging (5:01)
• Smart Cities and Age-Friendly Communities (8:48)
• Upstreamist Thinking in Aging (13:58)
• AI and Downstream Implications (16:16)
• AI in Combating Loneliness and Grief (21:21)
• Language, Ageism, and AI (25:24)
• Reverse Engineering in Aging (30:04)
• Personal Reflections on Aging (37:10)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (41:45)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Documentary Filmmaking Importance (2:32)
• The Impact of Documentaries (3:55)
• Keeping Biases in Check (7:43)
• Creative Process and Audience Engagement (11:16)
• Empowerment Through Film (14:18)
• Real-Time Feedback from Screenings (18:51)
• Loneliness Epidemic and Documentary Response (23:02)
• Personal Impact of Caregiving (26:36)
• Choosing Future Projects (29:03)
• Aging Perspectives (33:16)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (36:37)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Welcoming Amy to the Podcast (1:28)
• Amy's Passion for Aging (2:38)
• Basics of the OMA Program (8:11)
• Empowering Artists in OMA (9:33)
• The Importance of Naming Art (12:02)
• Mental Health and OMA (14:59)
• Adapting OMA Post-Pandemic (17:55)
• OMA at Home Pilot Program (19:45)
• Respite Adaptation of OMA (20:41)
• Getting Started with OMA (23:10)
• Global Impact of OMA (25:11)
• Abundant Aging Questions for Amy (27:25)
• Influential Figures in Aging (30:16)
• Connecting with OMA and Parting Thoughts (32:50)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Welcome Sherrill to the Podcast (1:02)
• Engaging with the LGBTQ+ Community (2:48)
• Refusal to Be Invisible (5:03)
• Creating Safe Spaces (8:12)
• Sherrill’s Journey into LGBTQ+ Advocacy (11:05)
• Supporting Grandparents of LGBTQ+ Youth (15:03)
• Advocacy Through Personal Connections (19:25)
• SAGE Table Program (22:58)
• SAGE Hear Me Program (24:12)
• National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging (26:03)
• Long Term Care Equality Index (27:28)
• Abundant Aging Questions for Sherrill (30:38)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (32:37)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.