Legacy Leader's "Your Encore"

The Playhouse Square RedCoats are the welcoming presence for nearly one million guests attending over one thousandperformances annually helping fuel a performing arts ecosystem that contributes more than $359 million to the local economy each year. Their service reflects purpose, civic pride, and the power of meaningful engagement later in life.This episode explores how volunteering, especially in a vibrant cultural environment can become a powerfulplatform for wellness, identity, and legacy.

Guest Lori K. Long, Ph.D., is a Partner at Shoreline Associates, where she works with entrepreneurs, organizations, and nonprofits to strengthen leadership, people strategy, and purpose-driven growth. She retired early from Baldwin Wallace University after more than 20 years in academia.Dr. Long explores how to recognize when it’s time to take the next step, especially when you feel drawn toward something new but aren’t yet sure what ee holds. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on mindset before deciding what comes next. For leaders who are accustomed to solving problems and making plans, pausing without a clear destination can feel uncomfortable. Yet this intentional pause may be the most critical part of the journey—an opportunity to step back from logistics and center your mindset before moving forward.  

Retired Children's Hospital VP and Part-time PotterMeredith Reeves Slosberg has found a way to merge her passions for Food as Medicine and pottery into a project that celebrates both health and creativity. Inspired by the idea that beautiful, intentional design can encourage mindful eating, Meredith handcrafts unique bowls for patients at the Food as Medicine Clinic at MetroHealth Hospital in Ohio and the Healthy Eating Habits Diabetic Clinic at the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Arizona. These bowls aren’t just pieces of art; they are rewards for reaching important health milestones, such as improved A1C levels, better blood pressure, or weight reduction. For Meredith, each bowl tells a story of perseverance, wellness, and the transformative power of combining nourishment with thoughtful design.

Guest host DaJon Battle explores leadership and wellness through the lenses of legacy, reinvention, and collective wisdom. She is joined by Connie Hill-Johnson, Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm, and Denise Coats for a thoughtful conversation broken into three segments:Segment 1 — The Work That Shaped YouPersonal stories and career-defining moments that shaped each guest’s leadership.Segment 2 — Retirement as a Wellness PlatformHow retirement can become a purposeful space for health, meaning, and renewed impact.Segment 3 — Reflections & Collective WisdomClosing insights, lessons learned, and practical wisdom to carry forward.

Guest host, Lee Schwebel and his guests will explore the theme: The power of intergenerational communities: What happens when leaders across generations come together to reimagine the future ofcollaboration?Guests include:DaJon BattleDarrick McDanielKait McNeeleyAnthony Peebles

Explore what it means to reinvent yourself after a successful career, and how the skills you’ve built over a lifetime can translate into new, meaningful chapters.Richard ScottRichard “Zoom” Scott is a man to pay attention to. He retired from Cleveland Channel 8, FOX 8, after 40 years. This type of longevity in a career only comes with working hard, being a likable person, and learning several usable skills at the same time. The Alliance High School graduate knew coming into his profession that he would have to work hard to advance. “Back when I first got started, I knew that if I worked hard, I could get everything I wanted out of my job,” Scott said. He started off, and still works as a technician. But he also helps with several other jobs as well, including: cameraman, writer, producer, and flying on TV 8’s Sky Fox helicopter every morning to assist with the morning traffic. When Scott isn’t working, he finds time to support the community with his 10th annual Soup for the Soul event, which is held every year to help feed needy families. “I feel like when you’re fortunate like I am, you must find ways to help others. We started this program to help those who are less fortunate. I love the fact that so many wonderful people come out to support us year after year. It makes the holidays special for me and my family and I would not change a thing.” 

People of all ages want to work across generations to help others and improve the world around them. Dr. Minnie Bowers, Assistant Clinical Professor of Behavioral Health, Cleveland Clinic and Meir Manevich, Mandel Scholar, Cleveland State University, have a timely conversation on how working across generations can help solve societal challenges and build community well-being.

Eliza Wing is the founding editor and former President & CEO of Cleveland.com, and a proud alum of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2000. With a distinguished careerin journalism, technology and public service—including a cabinet-level role in Cuyahoga County government—Eliza now brings her leadership experience to the realm of transformational coaching. She is the founder of Your Awakened Heart and creator of the CLEAR framework, which helps individuals and organizations move from striving to stillness, from burnout to clarity.Through CLEAR—Centering, Letting Go, Elevated Emotions, Attune, and Restore—Eliza offers a grounded and powerful path to presence, purpose, and lasting transformation. You can find Eliza's work at yourawakenedheart.com

Tammy Vigue, a Certified Life Coach, believes that traditional retirement planning is incomplete. Retirement isn’t just about replacing income; it’s about defining the life we want to retire to, and finding ways to replace the non-financial benefits of work.

Scott J. Allen, Ph. D. shares with listeners his Practical Wisdom: Gratitude improves your overall well-being. Gratitude has been linked to better emotional and social well-being, improved sleep, and even lower risks of depression. When you focus on the good, you naturally feel more balanced and fulfilled. Key Points • Gratitude was linked to lower mortality risk from various causes, including cardiovascular disease • The longevity benefit persisted even after accounting for physical health and other factors • Simple practices like sharing gratitude at dinner or writing thank-you notes can cultivate appreciation • Savoring positive moments mindfully is another way to foster gratitude in daily life

Women over the age of 50 are among the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs. But often, they don't have the same access to digital tools that are constantly changing. Korin Green, Director, Women’s Business Center, Northern Ohio shares with listeners how the Women's Business Center of Northern Ohio Encore program works to close the digital divide. The program is for women business owners aged 50 or older in the Northern Ohio area. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have an understanding of: The basics of branding, slogans and logo How to create and manage their own website through Wix Graphic design basics from Canva Social media best practices 

Rick Warsinskey an avid pickleball player and who is Pickleball Ambassador for Northeast Ohio shares his love for the sport of Pickleball. Rick started playing Pickleball in early 2019 a few months after he retired from the Social Security Administration. As Pickleball Ambassador he publishes a newsletter and two guides that share where to find Pickleball courts around Northeast Ohio.

Charles R. See reflects on his more than 44 years being involved providing community-based corrections programs for youth and adults. He is the former Vice President of the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry in Cleveland, Ohio and was the Executive Director of the Ministry’s Community Re-Entry Program. And has won several national awards including a gold medal from the National Peace and Justice Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia in 1986 and that same year Community Re-Entry was selected by the National Police Foundation as one of America’s 18 outstanding community-based anti-crime programs. In his current "encore" Mr. See currently serves as the Director of Community Engagement for the Cleveland Police Monitoring Team, which oversees the implementation of Cleveland Police Department’s Consent Decree. He encourages listeners to ask of themselves," What do you mean for the world to be?"

Peter Lawson Jones has many acts! Peter shares highlights from his diverse experiences in acting, law, politics, and playwriting. He discusses the importance of pursuing one’s passions and staying committed to creativity and personal growth and being engaged in a variety of endeavors. He talksabout the value of fearlessness, trusting instincts, and maintaining a youthful perspective as one transitions through different acts in life. He also shares a couple of recent and upcoming projects in film and theater and provided inspiration and advice for those embarking on their own encore journeys. Peter Lawson JonesPeter Lawson Jones is an attorney, business consultant, professional actor and master of ceremonies, dramatist and former elected official. From February 2002, through December 2010, Jones, a graduate of Harvard College (magna cum laude in Government) and Harvard Law School, was a member of the Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners, and its president for three of those years. He previously served two and one-half terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, where he was the ranking member of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee and second vice president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. Jones was formerly the Vice Mayor and a Councilman in the City of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Jones's newest play, The Phoenix Society, enjoyed its world premiere in May 2022, at Playwrights Local in Cleveland, Ohio. His drama, The Bloodless Jungle, has enjoyed two full productions at The Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and is set for another full production this fall at The King Arts Complex in Columbus, Ohio. Land of Cleve, an arts and culture blog, ranked the second production as one of the best in Northeast Ohio in 2017. The play has enjoyed staged readings at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Dallas Convention Center, the National Black Theatre Festival, Duquesne University and in Harlem. His first drama, The Family Line, has been successfully produced at Karamu House (Cleveland, Ohio), Harvard University and Ohio University.

Our guest for this episode of “For Your Encore” we welcome Richard and Angela Huckabee. Richard Huckabee is a retired Executive Manager, with a passion to serve his community and inspire People to stay healthy. He was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2013. He is a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador, a Parkinson’s Foundation Research Advocate (specializing in exercise research), and a PD Mover. Angela Huckabee is a retired educator of 32 years! She has a passion for teaching and learning. After her husband’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s, she began to educate herself on the disease. She is a Parkinson’s Foundation Research Advocate, and PD Mover. Both Richard and Angela have a goal to stay healthy, and inspire others, in their retirement/Second Act.

Our guest for today’s episode of “For Your Encore” is Kristi Horner, Founder and Executive Director for Courage to Caregivers. Kristi strongly believes that you need to take care of yourself first, in order to be more effective in just about every role you play in your life – spouse, partner, parent, child, friend, neighbor, colleague or caregiver you have to create your own Self-Care Plan to Prevent Burn Out.

There are countless unique opportunities for all ages including our listeners in their Encore. You can stay active in recreation and nature adventures throughout the park district.  Try-It, Learn-It, Live it!

US Army Veteran Michelle Robinson, who retired from the American Red Cross talks about her encore as an Abstract Artist. And she talks about skydiving, one of the adventures on her bucket list.

Traci McBride, Life Stylist and Wardrobe & Home Styling: Columnist of "Life Spaces" with N.E.O. Boomer & Beyond Magazine will share with listeners "owning less but doing more." Her discussion will focus on "We change, grow, and evolve. Why keep things that don't serve us, bring us joy, and reflect who we are now?''

The benefits of volunteering in "Your Encore" with Joy Banish, Executive Director, Greater Cleveland Volunteers.

Legacy Leader Robert Shields interviews Jacob VanSickle, Executive Director, Bike Cleveland. Together they share they're interest in Biking and the amazing age-friendly outdoor bike trails in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Age-friendly recreational trails are an excellent way to encourage the Encore community to adopt lifestyle changes that will bring lifetime health benefits.

Ron Soeder talks about life after retiring and his next career