Part executive director, part death doula, Karisha Solomon has been helping people live—and die—with purpose. With over two decades of experience, Karisha’s journey has taken her from candy-striper to nursing aide, caregiver coordinator, nursing home administrator-in-training, adjunct professor, nonprofit executive director—and now, certified death doula, gerontologist/ entrepreneur.

Karisha is on a mission to take the fear out of dying so people can live more fully now. She blends spirituality and strategy into everything she offers. Our conversation is in conjunction with the screening of “Caregiving”, the documentary created with executive producer Bradley Cooper highlighting the challenges and triumphs of caregiving in America. Find out more about Karisha at KarishaSolomon.com.

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I had the honor of speaking with Mary Homer of Oneida Nation's Wolf Clan in Upstate NY. Mary spent 10 years dreaming of designing clothes. She wants her clothes to express “class, not trash.” She loves working with velvet, although it’s a difficult fabric

As a fourth-generation bead worker, she began showcasing her beadingwolves brand at local Native craft shows, selling earrings, necklaces, bows and more. Soon the small business shifted into a fashion brand, Homer Couture. Today, she's the first and only Indigenous fashion designer to show collections during Syracuse Fashion Week. She’s also involved in the advocacy group Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and dedicates one of her creations to the group each show.

Mary will debut her next line at New York Fashion Week this fall and will be the first indigenous person to do so. Her dream is to design for the met gala. Follow Mary at: BeadingWolves.com.

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Today’s episode is with Meg Tobin, a Mental Health Counselor and the owner of Breathing Space Psychotherapy. Meg is an expert in mind body approaches to help regulate the nervous system. She uses EFT (Tapping), Brainspotting, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and several somatic techniques to cut through the defenses we use to protect ourselves, but ultimately keep us stuck in the same old patterns. Lately she’s been taking groups on international retreats for more intense healing and adventure. I met Meg about three years ago and was inspired by her dedication to helping people feel better and use tools that are often outside the traditional therapy box. Find out more about Meg here: https://breathingspacepsychotherapy.com/

Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

This episode features a long time friend I met while dog walking. He definitely looked out of place in the Syracuse winter, with his shiny new cross country ski equipment, fancy tech coat and dog who looked a bit like Al Capone. My dog walking companion and I speculated that he was enrolled in the federal witness protection program and his dog, Nate, was his cell dog.

It turned out that wasn't the case. Jeff had been a popular and award-winning humor columnist in Southern California and suburban Boston. Soon he was at it again in Syracuse, addressing topics from family life to local politics. One of my favorite pieces was when he sampled local gas station pizza and judged them from best to worst. Kramer also established himself as a writer and producer of comedic plays, including one inspired by his botched vasectomy.

Now, at 63, he can add to his credits multiple replacement joints and other internal hardware. Plus he's a first-time novelist.

“Mud Season” -- which Jeff humbly calls the funniest book of the decade -- was released March of ‘25. Today we’re going to find out what it takes to write a book in the third act, and how art imitates life. Find out more about Jeff at https://jeffmkramer.com.

Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

One of the many joys of being a podcaster is that whenever I run across a zestful ager, which is often, I can invite them on the Show. It’s a great way to meet people that look interesting. Recently I was at an Earth Day celebration and I noticed a group of unmistakably zestful agers. I just knew I wanted to introduce myself and get to know them. They had that dynamic, postmenopausal energy.

Today’s guest has spent her life promoting environmental stewardship. Mary Bartlett is part of a local organization called United Climate Action Network (UCAN) which is all about building community around environmental advocacy. I love this group because it’s not a formal non profit. It’s a group of concerned citizens who have organized to address some of these pressing issues. And if they can do it, you might be inspired to do this in your community. This is true grass roots action. Check them out: https://unitedclimateaction.org/

Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

What if you had a major life transition in middle age, decided to sell your worldly belongings and buy a RV and travel around the country solo? Would you be that brave? I don’t know if I would. I had the opportunity to speak with full time RVer, Kathy Macdonald, on the Nelson swamp trail, just having been introduced by our mutual friend, Sue Parker. You may remember Sue, the hot shot firefighter who did a similar thing. And here’s a tidbit I love…how did Sue and Kathy meet? Sue reached out when she saw that Kathy and she both had the same obscure trailer brand! That’s the secret. Reaching out, making connections, even if it’s a bit of a leap.

Kathy is a force of nature behind the wheel of her massive F-150, towing her 25-foot travel trailer through the wild landscapes of the American West. She is also a long time journaler. It’s part of her morning ritual and she credits the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron for showing her the power of journaling. Find out more about Kathy’s adventures here: https://www.facebook.com/Kathy.Macdonald17

• To learn more about me, my Coaching Practice and webcourses, head on to https://www.zestfulaging.com/

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• https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolechristinalcsw

You may have noticed that the caregiving crisis is finally receiving its due.

Our conversation today is part of promoting the film “Caregiving”, the documentary created with executive producer Bradley Cooper highlighting the challenges and triumphs of caregiving in America. Caregiving will premiere Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9 p.m ET on PBS (check local listings), and on the PBS YouTube Channel. “Caregiving” will be available to stream on PBS.org and the PBS App beginning Tuesday, It’s narrated by Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba (you will remember her from “Orange is the New Black”) who is bringing her own experience as a caregiver for her mother to the project.

Our conversation is with expert in caregiving, Sheila Ohstrom. Once a boss in petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and telecom, Sheila decided it was time to upgrade her portfolio—from high stakes to high heart. Find out more about Sheila’s offerings https://www.livingwithdementiacny.org/

Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Today’s episode is about resilience and courage. What it is, why it’s important, and how we can create more courage in our own lives. I don’t know about you, but in this phase of life I don’t want to miss any opportunities because of fear.

Sue Parker is the co-founder of the Creative Hub in Cazenovia NY. She loves bringing women together to craft, share and be in community. It’s the most fun Sunday of the month. But what I have discovered is that Sue is a true adventurer, although she’s pretty modest about it. She has had an adventurous spirit from the beginning–she was one of the first woman hot shot fire fighters in Oregon!

Sue spent her career working to make healthy food accessible to everyone before online food ordering was a thing, she was involved in creating the first online farmers market through the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Eventually she settled down and raised her three children in a quiet upstate NY town. Then tragedy struck. Her 17 year old daughter died unexpectedly, and Sue was left to process that loss as she was parenting her other two children. She took this opportunity to make some big changes even though they were terrifying.

Today we’re going to learn about what it takes to be resilient through unspeakable loss, and how we can create more courage in our lives. You can find Sue on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sue.parker.749519

Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com