In this episode of Conversations on Aging, Sheila and Zoomcatchers Host, Kimberly Gunn explore the intersection of healthy aging, civil rights advocacy, and creative expression. Sheila shares her journey from teaching chair yoga at her local YMCA to becoming a full-time advocate for older adults in St. Louis.

What You'll Learn: • How to stay active and engaged as you age • The importance of legislative advocacy for senior rights • Creative housing solutions like the Village concept • Overcoming ageism and maintaining a positive mindset • The power of theater and storytelling in the aging community

Key Topics Covered: ✓ Physical and mental wellness for seniors ✓ The Silver Haired Legislature and policy change ✓ Challenges facing older adults: housing, transportation, healthcare ✓ Caregiving experiences and self-care ✓ The intersection of civil rights and elder rights ✓ Multi-generational mentoring and community building ✓ Theater as a tool for advocacy and connection

About Sheila Bassoppo-Moyo:

Sheila is an older adult coordinator, health educator, and playwright based in St. Louis. She teaches classes on Tai Chi, balance, nutrition, and healthy aging while actively advocating for legislation that supports older adults.

Her award-winning play "Sister Suffragists and the Harlem Hell Fighter" celebrates Black history and women's rights.

Watch Sheila's Play: Find "Sister Suffragist and the Harlem Hell Fighter" on Zoomcatchers' YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/Cscz-MO0xzc

Connect with us: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD46GgMnP-pf2lIyjjjm0TaRZSaRQ50eB&si=xEZ6A_QNsLTDZ2Bt

thefsww.org

Aging #SeniorCare #HealthyAging #ElderAdvocacy #Ageism #Caregiving #CivilRights #TheaterArts #AgingInPlace #SeniorLiving #MentalHealth #CommunityBuilding

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Professor Vera Katz and special guests to explore the power of mentorship, the art of acting, and the journey of aging with purpose. Hear personal stories from the theater world, including behind-the-scenes insights on teaching, directing, and the impact of legendary students like Chadwick Boseman.

Key topics include:

• The importance of small acts and building opportunities for others
• Acting techniques: contrast, clarity, and emotional truth
• Playwriting tips and the value of strong character decisions
• Reflections on legacy, overcoming obstacles, and finding meaning in life’s journey

Whether you’re an aspiring actor, playwright, or simply love great storytelling, this episode is packed with wisdom, practical advice, and heartfelt moments.

👍 Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and follow us on social media for more conversations that inspire and empower!

Listen, learn, and join the conversation!

Stay tuned for more episodes!

To watch or listen to previous episodes:

https://conversations-on-aging.captivate.fm/listen

https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ucsd_podcasts/

Here's a link to our YouTube Channel:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD46GgMnP-pf2lIyjjjm0TaRZSaRQ50eB

Aging #Theater #VeraKatz #ChadwickBoseman #Mentorship #Acting #Playwriting #Podcast

In this episode of 'Conversations on Aging,' legendary theater educator Professor Vera Katz shares her experiences and insights from a storied career in theater and education. She recounts her time working with rising stars like Chadwick Boseman and her journey as a white professor at Howard University during a tumultuous period in American history.

Professor Katz discusses the obstacles she faced, including instances of discrimination and violence, and how she persevered through them. She also highlights her dedication to fostering talent in her students and the importance of representation in theater.

Her story includes a fascinating encounter with playwright Edward Albee, where her boldness led to groundbreaking opportunities for future generations of diverse actors. Join us for an inspiring conversation that underscores the power of teaching, learning, and unyielding courage.

Stay tuned for part 2!

To watch or listen to previous episodes:

https://conversations-on-aging.captivate.fm/listen

https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ucsd_podcasts/

Here's a link to our YouTube Channel:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD46GgMnP-pf2lIyjjjm0TaRZSaRQ50eB

The episode spotlights Jimmy Santiago Baca, an acclaimed writer, poet, and humanitarian from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Baca, known for his book 'A Place to Stand' and the screenplay for 'Blood In, Blood Out,' discusses his routine, the influence of age on his creativity, and upcoming projects.

He emphasizes the importance of passion, discipline, and staying physically active. Baca also critiques elitist poetry, advocates for impactful writing, and shares insights on the transformative power of poetry.

The episode concludes with a preview of Baca's trilogy and information about his Writers Retreat.

www.zoomcatchers.us

http://jimmysantiagobaca.com

To watch all episodes:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD46GgMnP-pf2lIyjjjm0TaRZSaRQ50eB&si=c3f5s5HhASLkbMbv

To listen:

https://conversations-on-aging.captivate.fm/listen

Like, subscribe & follow us!

This episode we're talking to Director Byron C. Sanders, no stranger to the Zoomcatchers family!

Byron’s highlights and many credits currently include working as an independent Arts Management Consultant helping artists and arts organizations with grants administration and fund development.

Byron has recently directed Elders Igniting: Many More Stories To Tell, a Zoomcatchers production, featuring 3 one act plays by some of Atlanta’s renowned senior playwrights.

Byron has served on many arts panels including: The National Endowment for the Arts; The New York Foundation for the Arts, The Department of Cultural Affairs/NYC, The Georgia Council for the Arts and The City of Atlanta Department of Cultural Affairs.

In New York City, he was the Executive Director of the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop (1988-90) and the Workshop, on his watch, won an Obie Award for Playwriting Development.

To watch Elders Igniting: Many More Story To tell:

https://youtu.be/LZfk3iCGhGY

To find out more about us:

www.zoomatchers.us

www.thefsww.org

www.ncblackrep.org

We're growing old magnificently! We're celebrating Older Americans Month this May!

Thanks for all the support, sharing and continuing to believe in the Power of Podcasting to Make positive impacts in our world!

This season we have another line up of great guests, many of them artists, writers, and actors to share their aging journey with us!

Episode 7, we meet Rhonda Passion Hansome, a talented artist, who shares her journey in the arts, transitions through acting, directing, and comedy, the influence of aging on her work, emphasis on pro-aging content, and the significance of mentorship in the entertainment industry, including her involvement in the Black Women in Comedy Laugh Fest.

Rhonda has directed and appeared numerous productions on stage including Brooklyn, Bridge & Fence, Between The Wires, Prenuptial Disagreements, and The Shadows of Love & Light. She has been a long-time participant in The Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop, that is celebrating its 50th anniversary!

Her comedy has opened shows for Anita Baker @ Radio City Music Hall, Diana Ross @ Constitution Hall & Aretha Franklin @ Caesars in Atlantic City. Every Monday night (#HansomeMonday) she guests on John Fugelsang’s radio show "Tell Me Everything" on Sirius XM Ch 127. Rhonda writes the political cartoon, Politoonitics on Facebook.

This award honored theater director (DirectedByPassion.com) recently directed Dust of Egypt by Karen Abarbanel at the Sheen Center in NYC.

Join the conversation as we discuss, self-esteem, self-care and self-love!

To learn more:

www.zoomcatchers.us

www.thefsww.org

www.thebillieholiday.org

https://rhondahansome.com

Click here to watch the FSWW reading series playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD46GgMnP-pdO604UKm77WDiSygYw3IMS&si=Kn7mlDqDT79RH9rm

Thanks so much for watching, listening, and sharing our content and continuing to believe in the power of podcasting to make positive impacts on our world.

This season, we have another lineup of great guests, many of them artists who are going to be sharing their aging journeys with us.

Today, we're going to be talking with Julie Collin, who is an award-winning actor, dancer, singer, and all around cool person coming to us all the way from Auckland, New Zealand.

Julie has appeared in numerous productions on stage and on the screen, including Slow Dating, written by Adam Zudrich, who is no stranger to the Zoomcatchers family. Slow Dating is a one woman show all about seniors and speed dating. And a 2023 sunny coast showdown winner. You know what we say? We're never too young to think about aging!

To learn more about Zoomcatchers, go to:

www.zoomcatchers.us

To learn more about Julie Collin:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1452370/

In episode five of 'Conversations on Aging', host Kimberly Gunn interviews Lara Calvert, Executive Director of Spectrum Community Services in Alameda County, California. Lara shares details of the various services the organization offers seniors and low-income residents, such as Meals on Wheels, the Senior Meals Program, Fall Prevention classes, Weatherization Assistance, and the Connect Program. 

She also highlights the importance of community service, the significant role that volunteers play in the organization's work, and how the organization responds to and copes with crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lastly, she briefly discusses donating "time or treasure" and how members of the community can contribute or get involved.

To learn more about Spectrum Community Services and Zoomcatchers, visit their websites:

https://www.spectrumcs.org/

https://www.zoomcatchers.us/

To watch the video podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD46GgMnP-pf2lIyjjjm0TaRZSaRQ50eB

Zoomcatchers is pleased to present Conversations on Aging, Episode 4, a conversation with Jennifer Liebermann. Jennifer is a strategic innovation leader, community builder, and facilitator.

Her superpower is aligning disparate groups around a shared purpose and vision, often exploring the future of various topics.

She founded a consulting practice in 2023 to apply her experience as a healthcare innovation leader, driving large-scale change to help organizations define new futures, engage stakeholders, and build programs for results.

Jennifer founded and led Kaiser Permanente's Garfield Innovation Center, a global model for visioning the future of health and enabling people to prototype and test new ideas.

Thanks for joining us in this important conversation!

Will it be the Golden Years or the Silver Tsunami? Stay tuned and find out!

Subscribe, like, share, and follow!

Feedspot has named Conversations on Aging one of the Top 5 UCSD Podcasts!

https://blog.feedspot.com/ucsd_podcasts/

To listen to the audio podcast of this and previous episodes: https://conversations-on-aging.captivate.fm/listen

To learn more about Zoomcatchers, go to: https://www.zoomcatchers.us

This podcast is powered by Ecamm! To learn more about Ecamm: https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=kimberly87

We're never too young to think about aging...

Join us for engaging conversations on various issues with industry experts: the Master Plan on Aging, elder care, medicare fraud, science & technology, wisdom, caregiving, and much more!

Episode 3 features a professional caregiver in the private home care industry. Learn more about her caregiving journey!

Our population is aging and the need for caregivers is growing!

Feedspot has named Conversations on Aging one of the Top 5 UCSD Podcasts!

https://blog.feedspot.com/ucsd_podcasts/

Watch previous episodes:

The Science of Successful & Healthy Aging with Dr. Dilip Jeste

https://youtu.be/jJ5Uyc7IrlQ

A Conversation with the California Commission on Aging Legislative Director, Leza Coleman

https://youtu.be/uesdQmi1iVQ

Additional resources:

https://estatejobs.com

Care.com

https://www.care.com

Book reference:

The 36-Hour Day

Subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a single episode!

To listen to the podcast:

https://conversations-on-aging.captivate.fm/listen

You know what we say at Zoomcatchers, we're never too young to think about aging!

Dr. Jeste is the former Senior Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego.

He is the author of Wiser and he has been featured as a TEDMED speaker. His work has been cited in Time, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.

Zoomcatchers Host, Kimberly Gunn discusses his research on successful, healthy aging, wisdom and intelligence, artificial intelligence, senior living, and much more!

Will it be the Golden Years or the Silver Tsunami?

Stay tuned and find out!

Subscribe, like, share, and follow!

Feedspot has named Conversations on Aging one of the Top 5 UCSD Podcasts!

https://blog.feedspot.com/ucsd_podcasts/

To watch the video podcast:

https://youtu.be/jJ5Uyc7IrlQ

To learn more about Zoomcatchers:

https://www.zoomcatchers.us/

To learn more about Dr. Jeste:

https://dilipjestemd.com

The discussion includes what's new with the commission, its mission and vision, the Master Plan for Aging, caregiving, medicare fraud, and multi-generational housing.

Also, the importance of the year 2030 and what we should expect.

https://ccoa.ca.gov/

Feedspot has named Conversations on Aging one of the Top 5 UCSD Podcasts!

https://blog.feedspot.com/ucsd_podcasts/

Join us for engaging conversations on a wide range of issues with industry experts: the Master Plan on Aging, elder care, medicare fraud, science & technology, wisdom, caregiving, and much more!

We will feature conversations with Leza Coleman, Legislative Director of the California Commission on Aging, Dr. Dilip Jeste, the former Senior Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego and author of Wiser, and Elle Tee, a private caregiver.

Our population is aging and 2030 is approaching! Let's learn and age together!

Will it be the Golden Years of the Silver Tsunami?

Stay tuned and find out!

Subscribe to our channel and follow us so you don't miss a single episode!

Feedspot has named Conversations on Aging one of the Top 5 UCSD Podcasts!

https://blog.feedspot.com/ucsd_podcasts/

https://www.zoomcatchers.us/news

https://ccoa.ca.gov

https://dilipjestemd.com