Aging with Grace and Purpose

In this episode, we are honored to welcome AKO, a distinguished New York-based actress, director, playwright, and founder of the theater company Amaterasu-Za. AKO’s influence spans local and national theater, where she continues to leave an impact on audiences and fellow artists through her dynamic contributions. As she prepares for the upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of OKUNI (Izumo no Okuni) this November, AKO shares her creative journey and insights, taking time from her busy rehearsal schedule to speak with us. This is the Part 2 of AKO's interview.

Featuring AKO, Renowned Actress, Playwright, Producer, and Founder of Amaterasu-Za Theater. The 2024 Disney series "Shogun" has won Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards. She played a key role in depicting the "Iyo no kata" the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In this episode, we are honored to welcome AKO, a distinguished New York-based actress, director, playwright, and founder of the theater company Amaterasu-Za. AKO’s influence spans local and national theater, where she continues to leave an impact on audiences and fellow artists through her dynamic contributions. As she prepares for the upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of OKUNI (Izumo no Okuni) this November, AKO shares her creative journey and insights, taking time from her busy rehearsal schedule to speak with us. This is the Part 3 of AKO's interview.

Ms. Sheila Massey, inspired by a stray kitten named Sadie, began her journey in animal welfare in 2008 by doing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) work across New York City. Her TNR efforts took her to diverse locations, including a prison, an evangelical church, a landmark mansion, a community garden, and a parking garage, where she honed her community relations skills. Sheila co-taught "Neighborhood Relations" and TNR training for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals’ Feral Cat Initiative. In 2020, Sheila founded Hard Hat Cats, an innovative non-profit that places unadoptable feral cats from NYC shelters into “jobs” with employers seeking non-toxic rodent control. The cats, thriving in settings like breweries, parks, and hotels, live independently, focused on deterring rodents while largely ignoring people.

Nancy is an elegant and intelligent lady. She loves the Sunday New York Times puzzle and lives by the Christian standard. She is also very cheerful and personable. She came to the studio taking a taxi from the port authority, thinking she would be late for the recording. Extremely considerate and professional. She had her very successful art dealer business in her late 50s. Her love for nature, she says, was nurtured during her childhood in the Hudson Valley. Her poignant memories of her late father touched our hearts. (This is part 1 of her interview. Part 2 was released before this episode due to an audio issue that needed to be addressed.)

This episode is Part 2 of Ms. Wandalynn's interview at Studio 40. After experiencing her powerful performance at the Showcase, we asked her to join us again at studio 40 and tell us her life stories. Her candid words had a lasting impression on us. We hope you enjoy it and get something out of it as we did.

Ms. Wandalynn is a gentle-mannered petite lady who presented a powerful one-person act at Studio 40's Showcase*. Throughout the interview, she was open and exuded a warmth that only experienced and concurred human beings have. Despite her busy schedule, she engages in activities such as Mothership Six, the Harlem Dance Club event, and sleepover night at the Covenant House New York. She is a giver, an amazing survivor who enjoys life to the fullest regardless of any challenges she faces.

Peter is a scholastic protege from Hong Kong who came to study Philosophy and Mathematics in the 1970s. After completing his studies at some of the most prestigious schools in the United States, his talent was kept in America for the next 50 years. After his retirement in 2018, he traveled internationally and energetically engaged in cultural activities. AMC-A-list membership allows him to see three new movies per week, and he joins a book club at the library. He is our classmate in the AI Exploration class at Senior Planet, and in the class, he shared with us how he is using AI and custom ChatGPT for his project. The Middle Way, his balanced lifestyle is ideal. His active senior life is rich culturally and intellectually. He joined us at Studio 40 and further discussed his curiosity about how AI already affects our lives. **************************************************** The full transcript of this interview in PDF is below. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ce7kNXl1X5fds8APwR4ghE1LzeIsVm3a/view?usp=sharing タイムスタンプ付きの日本語訳はこちら https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yCn78PzQTK6YTkgqnAdnBJ5Q4X51xKFGG95RqR0Zqf8/edit?usp=sharing ABOUT THIS PODCAST Welcome to our podcast! We are two hosts in our 60s, each with unique backgrounds. Our host, who has lived in the NY Metropolitan area for the past 36 years teamed up with the co-host, a native New Yorker. We met this winter at Senior Planet, a wonderful senior center in Chelsea, NYC. Sponsored by AARP and OATS (Older Adults Technology Services), Senior Planet offers a range of technology and creative courses for seniors. Through conversations with our generous guests, we explore what it means to age with grace and purpose. Join us on this journey as we discover new perspectives and stories from inspiring seniors. Who knows? The next story we share might be yours! We hope you enjoy the stories and insights we bring to you. Let's learn and grow together! Thank you so much for visiting our channel.

Ms. Alice Slater, a powerful peace activist, spent time with us again at Studio 40 to discuss AI, Nuclear power and weapons, and her Peace activism. To learn more about Ms. Slater and her current activism, please visit www.worldbeyondwar.org (She currently serves on the Board.) A list of her other activism includes: * on the Advisory Board of Nuclear Ban - US, supporting the mission of the ICAN, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons which won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its work in realizing the successful UN negotiations for a Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. * On the Board of the Global Council of Abolition 2000. * The Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. * A member of the NYC Bar Association and served on the People’s Climate Committee - NYC, working for 100% Green Energy by 2030. She started her long quest for peace as a suburban housewife with two small children. Originally in her local community getting involved with Eugene McCarthy’s presidential Challenge to Johnson’s illegal war in Vietnam. She is a member of the Lawyers Alliance for Nuclear Arms Control. She traveled to Russia, China, and Japan on numerous delegations engaged in ending the arms race and banning the bomb. Some other keywords for her peace activities include: * Code Pink. org * Anti-defamation League ABOUT THIS PODCAST Welcome to our podcast! We are two hosts in our 60s, each with unique backgrounds. Our host, who has lived in the NY Metropolitan area for the past 36 years but has limited experience in New York City, teams up with our co-host, a native New Yorker. We met this winter at Senior Planet, a wonderful senior center in Chelsea, NYC. Sponsored by AARP and OATS (Older Adults Technology Services), Senior Planet offers a range of technology and creative courses for seniors. It's a hidden gem, not just for the local community but for anyone over 60 looking to enrich their lives. Our podcast is born out of a shared passion for photography, arts, and lifelong learning. Through conversations with our generous guests, we explore what it means to age with grace and purpose. Join us on this journey as we discover new perspectives and stories from inspiring seniors. Who knows? The next story we share might be yours! We hope you enjoy the stories and insights we bring to you. Let's learn and grow together!

This is a compilation highlight of our Podcast's episodes from April to July 2024. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Welcome to our podcast! We are two hosts in our 60s, each with unique backgrounds. Our host, who has lived in the NY Metropolitan area for the past 36 years but has limited experience in New York City, teams up with our co-host, a native New Yorker. We met this winter at Senior Planet, a wonderful senior center in Chelsea, NYC. Sponsored by AARP and OATS (Older Adults Technology Services), Senior Planet offers a range of technology and creative courses for seniors. It's a hidden gem, not just for the local community but for anyone over 60 looking to enrich their lives. Our podcast is born out of a shared passion for photography, arts, and lifelong learning. Through conversations with our generous guests, we explore what it means to age with grace and purpose. Join us on this journey as we discover new perspectives and stories from inspiring seniors. Who knows? The next story we share might be yours! We hope you enjoy the stories and insights we bring to you. Let's learn and grow together!

Ms. Slater, a powerful peace activist, spent time with us at Studio 40 to discuss aging amongst other topics, including but not limited to her parents' episode with President Roosevelt, her childhood memories, her experience being a teacher after graduating from the Queens College at 19, the U.S. Politics, Medicare, long covid, and more.

TODAY'S GUEST: MS. JEAN DUBLIN Jean is our meditation teacher. She teaches at Senior Planet and is a respected leader in her organization. Her voice is also heard in our podcast teaser, saying "There are misconceptions of aging. Aging is not a burden, it is a joy." She came to Studio 40 to tell us more about herself, her devotion to god, and the spirituality that she was given. ABOUT OUR PODCAST We are in our 60's. Very different backgrounds: the native New Yorker, and the other having lived in the NY Metropolitan area for the last 36 years but having had minimal experience in New York City. We met at Senior Planet, a senior center in Chelsea, this winter and started sharing our passion for photography and arts. Together, we will explore what more is there in our senior years. To learn more, we started talking and listening to the guests who generously appeared in our podcast. This is our journey to find Aging with Grace and Purpose. I hope you like our stories. You never know if the next guest will be YOU sharing your one and only story!

Mr. Howard Meltzer of "Howie Time" is a retired executive from a blue-chip company. The transition from the corporate environment to his adventures looks seamless for him. He is a multi-faceted person with a great intention to help people. His marriage of 34 years was filled with love despite his wife's health challenges. Her tenacious and positive attitude seems to mirror him. Thank you Howard for visiting us at Studio 40. Debbie and I had many questions for this energetic New Yorker.

Today's guest is Aida. La Buena Mujer, Aida. A New Yorker who has been taking care of her Mom with Alzheimer's for 20 years. Her sincere and honest story would touch your heart. Her advice to the younger self is a gem she gained through life. She shared with us the challenges she faced while taking care of her mother with Alzheimer's disease for twenty years. But that's only half of who she is. Her passion for recharging herself by attending many of New York's free cultural events makes her a better caretaker and a person. Her story of being in various parts of the United States was interesting. And her rich cultural background shone when she talked about Guatemalan food. Enjoy listening to this vibrant lady having a lively conversation at Studio40.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The opinions expressed or views expressed do not necessarily reflect or represent those of the host/cohost; such views are merely opinions expressed. Today's guest is a young holistic geriatric nurse, Katie. Her stories are fascinating; we can see how much she truly cares. She talks about how listening and observing patients helps resolve inconclusive conditions. She introduced us to a great program for seniors and their families, caretakers, for the seniors. About this podcast We are in our 60s, met at Senior Planet, a senior center in Chelsea, this winter, and started sharing our passion for photography and arts. Together, we will explore what more is there in our senior years. To learn more, we started talking and listening to the guests who generously appeared in our podcast. This is our journey to find Aging with Grace and Purpose. I hope you like our stories. You never know if the next guest will be YOU sharing your one and only story!

Ms. Nancy Clarke came to Studio 40 to sit down with us sharing some invaluable insight into aging years and the wisdom she learned through her life experience and a German proverb from her uncle. This is part 2 of Nancy's interview. Her previous interview will be available soon.

Rita is a gorgeous 88-year-old, who is not invisible. She candidly told us about her parents, her wonderful late husband, and her beloved daughters and granddaughters. When asked about the challenges seniors face, she tells us "Acceptance" is the key. She says, "Let Go!" Although physical challenges and the loss of close friends and family are difficult, she is still active and proactive. And she is content with her life. Admirable lady, Rita. Thank you for coming to Studio 40. We interviewed Mrs. Rita Mittman at Studio 40 of SNFL, a branch library of NYPL on 5th Avenue New York, New York.

Jeanne comes to Studio 40 to speak with us, Aging with Grace and Purpose, on a beautiful day in June. She and Yuko met at the Phoenix Club, a gathering conference of aging women who share each other's passions and interests. "Everyone has something to give," Jeanne says. "I know! I know! I know!" Older people are sometimes too comfortable thinking they are right. She shared with us the wealth of knowledge and experience throughout her life and career. Her tenacious nature and positive attitude are contagious. She is one energetic and the kindest New Yorker anyone who meets her soon becomes her fan. Jeanne was an elementary school teacher for 33 years. Off the screen, she shared an anecdote about a few of her 2nd-grade students. At the beginning of the school day, one mid-September morning, a few of them announced they didn’t have their homework assignments. One said, “Mom thought it was garbage, so she threw it away.” Jeanne asked the child, “What made your mom think it was garbage?” As one student after another gave dubious reasons for the missing work, Jeanne began to lose patience and silently calculate the number of days left, not only to the end of the month but to the end of the school year! Finally, there was one student with her hand raised, indicating she had something to add to the scene. With undisguised weariness, Jeanne asked her, “And what’s your problem?” The little girl cheerfully replied, "I don’t have a problem! I just want to tell you that I love you!” With a gentle smile, Jeanne softly replied, “Thank you” and the morning proceeded on to the day’s Language Arts lesson. To this day, Jeanne is still amazed and impressed that a little child could see anything lovable in an annoyed teacher and with a big smile and happy voice, proclaim that love loud enough for everyone in the classroom to hear! #podcast #interview #motivation #love #education #misconceptionsofaging#aginggracefully #agingwithgraceandpurpose #universalityofchurch ABOUT OUR PODCAST: We are in our 60's. Very different backgrounds: one being the native New Yorker, and the other having lived in the NY Metropolitan area for the last 36 years but having had very limited experience in New York City. We met at Senior Planet, a senior center in Chelsea, this winter and started sharing our passion for photography and arts. Together, we are going to explore what more is there in our senior years. To learn more, we started talking and listening to the guests who generously appeared in our podcast. This is our journey to find Aging with Grace and Purpose. I hope you like our stories. You never know if the next guest will be YOU sharing your one and only story!