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★★★★★

4.7

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How can we age with zest, courage and vibrance? How can we tackle the challenges of aging--including ageism-- with awareness and skill? Nicole Christina, a psychotherapist of more than 30 years, interviews culture changers from all over the world and of every persuasion–including Python hunters in the Everglades and Hospice workers at San Quentin Penitentiary. Her topics have a humanitarian theme and are typically off of the mainstream. An expert interviewer and author of "Not Just Chatting: How to Become a Master Podcast Interviewer" Nicole's conversations are deep and heartfelt. In these conversations, the challenges of aging are not sugar coated. Bodies age. We're not as fast or agile as we once were. 60, it turns out, is not the new 40. Acceptance is the key, although it's easier said than done. Our goal, then, is to navigate the losses of aging as well as to highlight the gifts. Many people report being happier when they reach 50 and are delighted by the freedoms they experience. They may have more time to themselves, and the new ability to discover what makes them truly happy. Many women are traveling solo and finding joy in their new friendships. It's a time to be curious and adventurous while our body still is in good working condition. It's not always easy, though. Trying new things can be scary. Nicole's guests are not super heroes. They are people who have found their own ways of meeting the challenges of aging yet still delighting in the life they have left. The Show brings optimism to the experience of aging in spite of the realities of expectable losses.

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Check latest episodes from Zestful Aging podcast

Last Episode of Zestful Aging Podcast Illustrates Resilience and Healing

2026/07/25

I've been following this week's guest on Facebook for many years. Her posts about emotional health and recovery from trauma are always wise and resonant. So when I discovered that she'd just released a book about her experiences as a trauma survivor, I knew I wanted to have her on the show. Shavaun Scott is a psychotherapist specializing in healing trauma. Her acclaimed book, "Nightbird", submerges us into the hell of her discovering that her husband has taken his life after she asked for a divorce. Revenge suicide was not a concept I was familiar with. Nightbird tells the story of Shavaun's life and her family's intergenerational trauma. She describes an upbringing which was overshadowed by religious extremism and emotional abuse, and ultimately her healing. It's raw and intense, as one might expect, from an expert in trauma and resilience. Find out more: https://www.shavaunscott.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

What You Didn't Know About Domestic Violence

2026/07/11

After a long and successful career in the corporate world, today's guest took the leap to fulfill her dream of being a filmmaker. You may remember our conversation years ago when she created "Beyond Sixty". Since then she's created "Climbing into Life", a film about the oldest woman to scale El Capitan (she is the mom of famous climber Alex Honnold). Now Melissa is back with a new project–documententing the work of the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Center in PA. What was supposed to be a short promotional video for the Center's 50th anniversary turned into a full length documentary film. To find out more about the Center and Melissa's documentary work: https://wcmontco.org/ and https://melissadavey.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Basic Eye Care that We All Need to be Doing

2026/06/27

I don't know about you, but I haven't thought about my eye health that much over the years. I've been pretty lucky that I haven't had many concerns. I have begun wearing eye protection for pickleball when I learned that you can suffer from a detached retina. But it turns out, eye health is the most overlooked pillar in wellness. Did you know it directly affects energy, focus, sleep, and even mood? And with the way we use screens today, phones, laptops, tablets, all day long our eyes are taking the hit. Eye strain is something we can't afford to ignore. My guest this week is Dr. Pam Theriot, TEDx speaker and nationally recognized dry-eye specialist. She is going to give us simple vision habits that can improve performance and long-term health. More at https://www.pamtheriot.com/ . Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Who Else is a Little Afraid of Death?

2026/06/13

Some of us don't mind admitting that we're a little afraid of death. This week's guest says she thinks about her death 20-30 times a day. A psychologist and memoirist who has been on Zestful Aging before, Liz Scott's new book "You're Going to Die But I'm Not!" delves into all things death. Liz describes this latest book as her journey from near-terror of her mortality to near-acceptance. https://www.lizscottwriter.com . Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

The Healing Power of Laughter (Why We Need This Now)

2026/05/30

When is the last time you had a belly laugh? Most of us haven't had a good laugh in recent memory. Our guest this week is Yvonne Conte who is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author, and corporate culture expert who has spent more than 30 years studying the power of humor, laughter, and joy in the workplace. A tough childhood showed her that humor can reach people who seem unreachable. A former award-winning sales executive, she now helps Fortune 500 companies and leading organizations including Merck, Xerox, Time Warner, and AT&T build positive, high-performing cultures where people thrive. Find out more about Yvonne's offerings: Yvonne-Conte.com . Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Podcast Trailblazer Reflects on Her Daughter's Fatal Overdose

2026/05/16

My guest today is podcast royalty. She is a Podcasting Hall of Famer, Corporate Speaker & Comic and the Co-Founder of She Podcasts which started as a Facebook group and is now the largest podcast platform in the world. She's been Featured in Forbes & Entrepreneur as a visionary for women and non-binary people in the podcasting world. I met Jessica Kupferman at PODFEST–a big podcasters convention in Florida a couple of years ago. I was attending one of her sessions and I was struck by her honesty about the challenges she was still experiencing years after her daughter's fatal overdose. As a therapist I'm always thinking about how we survive the unthinkable. What are the qualities that keep some of us persevering while others can't? The combination of her enormous drive and success and her ability to endure the unthinkable made me want to talk more in depth. Jessica reflects on what got her through her daughter's death and how her successful Substack gives her an opportunity to bring humor to any situation. Find out more at JessicaKupferman.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Making Things Leads to Happier Aging

2026/05/02

You've likely spent your life caring for others and building a career, and you've done it well. But life is marching on. When is it your turn? As a psychotherapist I hear this a lot. We have been serving others for so long we don't even know what brings us joy. My guest this week is Dr. Minette Riordan and she is a powerhouse creative queen. In her earlier life she was an academic and businesswoman, but she knew deep down she was an artist. Now she shares all kinds of artful classes to help us create a life that's juicy with exploration and aliveness. And she's knowledgeable about the science that demonstrates making things enhances our aging. Find out more about her and her offerings at MinetteRiordan.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Are You Ready to Age "Unapologetically"?

2026/04/18

You may have noticed that getting older isn't exactly celebrated in our culture, especially if you are a woman. Because our worth is still determined by our physical appearance, aging often leads to feelings of invisibility or even worthlessness. It can be a very difficult transition, especially for those who have received attention for their looks. We all are aware that these fears of being discarded are exploited by companies selling us everything from wrinkle cream to ridding ourselves of our menopause middle. We're so used to being told that aging is problematic that we don't even notice anymore. Deb Benfield calls out the toxic messages of anti-aging and diet culture. Her new book "Unapologetic Aging" challenges the idea that our bodies are projects to be constantly improving. She wants us to stop fighting with our bodies so we can make room for vitality. These are radical concepts so get ready to be challenged with this lively conversation. Find out more here: https://www.debrabenfield.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Why is Pickleball So Addictive?

2026/04/04

Who else has caught the pickleball bug? A veteran tennis player, it took me some time but now I am also smitten. Our guest stumbled upon the game after retiring from firefighting and then caregiving for both her sister and her mother. Grief and loss were softened by belonging to a new community. In addition to playing frequently she became curious about pickleball's meteoric rise, its history and the appeal of the game. Why do millions love the game? Clare Frank decided to go on a year long quest to immerse herself in the game and culture of the game. The result is her new memoir "Just One More Game: A Pickleball Quest". Find out more at https://www.clarefrank.net/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

What is "The Wild Cure" and Why is it So Important?

2026/03/21

If you've followed "Zestful Aging Podcast" you know I love nature and appreciate its healing powers. And we all seem to be needing a way to find some peace these days. This week's guest is Matthew Kessi, author of "The Wild Cure". Matthew is a writer and nature-based mentor who helps people rediscover calm, clarity, and direction by reconnecting with the natural world. After years in corporate airline leadership and global travel, Matthew realized some of life's best guidance wasn't happening in boardrooms — it was happening out on the trail. I call his work "forest bathing on steroids." Find out more about Matthew and his offerings at Kessiworld.com. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Why is Caregiving So Undervalued?

2026/03/07

One of the joys of being a podcaster is that you can listen to a conversation about caregiving on NPR, look up the guest and invite them to guest on your show. I was thrilled when today's guest accepted my invitation. Our guest is Kat McGowan a journalist focused on caregiving. She's had first hand knowledge of the experience, having cared for both her sister in law and then her parents. She discovered that 26 million American caregivers who look after friends and family are effectively the nation's largest healthcare workforce. But they're overlooked in social policy and ignored by the media. Kat's goal is to help people recognize caregiving for what it is: "An essential social service, a form of medicine, a love story, a burden, an honor, a privilege—and, for many of us, a chapter of life." Find out more about her at katmcgowan.com . Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Who Needs Some Hope Right Now? (I Do!)

2026/02/21

Our guest this week couldn't be more timely. With all of the strife and fear around us many are looking for some way to find comfort. Maryann Roefaro straddles the worlds of science, medicine and spirituality. In her new book "Transitions of Hope", She shares powerful insights from her decades as a healthcare leader, caregiver, and spiritual guide to show how we can replace fear with love and face life's transitions with courage and peace. Check out her new podcast Transitions of Hope: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transitions-of-hope/id1862814649 Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Mochi: A Symbol of Resistance in WWII Japanese Incarceration Camps

2026/02/07

Sky Bergman an accomplished, award-winning photographer and filmmaker. She has been particularly interested in the positive effects of intergenerational relationships having enjoyed a loving relationship with her grandmother. Sky's newest film is about the Japanese American experience and how a particular food has provided emotional sustenance through internment. Mochi-tsuki has long united Japanese Americans, from the hardships of World War II incarceration to modern-day celebrations. Once a symbol of resilience in incarceration camps, this tradition continues to bring generations together, preserving culture and community. Find out more about Sky: https://skybergmanproductions.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

45 Years with the US Ski Team

2026/01/24

How delightful is this? We're in the beautiful kitchen of my next guest, because we're having a little sourdough baking lesson. I love spreading the fun of sourdough making.Those organisms are alive and well. Kathy Okoniewski has been involved in U.S. ski racing and training for 45 years. She's been a competitor and developed programming for ski racing youth. After a long career in sports, Kathy has shifted her focus to becoming an energy medicine practitioner. Her focus is helping people–whether athletes or general public to discover their full energetic potential. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

The Healing Power of Horses

2026/01/10

Sue Willoughby is a life coach with a real twist. Raised by a single alcoholic parent, Sue came out at 17, hit some serious lows, and still built a life full of grit, growth, and reinvention—from corporate trainer to standup comic, real estate investor, and private pilot. As a coach, Sue partners with horses to help her clients through their difficulties. She talks about why horses are uniquely gifted to work with people who are struggling emotionally. Find out about her facility, her team and all of their offerings: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/ Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

Podcast reviews

Read Zestful Aging podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

50 reviews

★★★★★

S.parker283 2025/01/12

Insightful, Engaging, and Refreshingly Honest!

This podcast on aging is an absolute gem! Nichole has an incredible gift for asking thoughtful, deeper questions that draw out meaningful and authenti...

★★★★★

TJB review 2023/12/10

Awesome podcasts on Aging

Nicole’s podcasts on Zestful Aging are informative and helpful in caring for aging parents and caring for my husband and me as we age.

★★★★★

volleyballfrog 2023/11/15

So informative!!!

Nicole is so kind and intelligent! She shares incredible information that is so needed! A must listen podcast!!!

★★★★★

SallyjFox 2023/11/14

Engaging interviewer with great topics

Nicole is a very engaging interviewer—a great listener, with plenty of meaningful questions. I also appreciate the diversity of interesting guests she...

★★★★★

Snow and water 2023/10/03

Thoughtful Insights

Interesting guests and in depth interviews on a range topics. Everyone, young and old can gain insight from these discussions.

★★★★★

Laura Koniver MD 2023/09/27

Phenomenal interviewer

Nicole is quite possibly the most skilled and interesting interviewer I’ve ever heard — her podcast provides exceptional food for thought in a very wa...

★★★★★

Mapache’s Dad 2023/09/26

Great questioner

Nicole is an engaging podcast host who asks unique questions and you hear the guests often say “That is a great question” or “I’ve never been asked th...

★★★★★

Vicaur 2023/09/25

Educational and entertaining podcast

I really enjoyed being interviewed by Nicole Christina for episode To Dye or Not to Dye. Nicole is a wonderful person and a warm and gracious host. We...

★★★★★

C Reichl 2023/09/25

I Love these Podcasts!

I listen, I learn and I get inspiration from Nicole and her many and varied fascinating guests! Nicole is a talented interviewer and Zestful Aging is...

★★★★★

LauraSari 2021/11/07

thoughtful, entertaining, a must listen

Nicole Christina brings insightful questions and deep listening to each podcast interview, and the guests she chooses are diverse and fascinating. I l...

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