On December 31, 1999, Ellen Smiley left the airline industry, after a career spanning more than 30 years with British Airways. She took a few interim jobs, eventually landing at a large credit union on Long Island, where she soon found herself in the business development department. It was there that first learned about financial literacy—a subject she knew nothing about. But It didn't take Ellen long for her to see the incredible value of financial literacy, and what a difference such knowledge could have in people’s lives. By the time she left the credit union in 2013, she was teaching between 125 and 150 classes a year. In today’s episode, as 45 Forward continues our recognition of National Financial Literacy Month, we talk with Ellen about her many insights and experiences as the owner of her own financial literacy consulting practice. Working with individuals and groups, she teaches commonsense basic skills—which many people lack—like setting up sensible budgets and how to improve their credit scores. She has worked with people across multiple ages and generations, from high school students to college students, to mature families and older adults. Financial literary provides knowledge that is increasingly necessary as the world gets more complex, and Ellen will explain how her programs and practices lead to significant stress reduction and free up money that can be used to improve their lives of families, no matter what stage of life they’re in.

There are special moments in life when we experience a profound sense of awe at the planet we inhabit—such as the recent solar eclipse, when communities across America gathered in public spaces to gaze at the sky in wonder. Indeed, as we mark this year’s Earth Month, we need to blend our concerns over climate change and environmental sustainability with a rekindled sense of awe at our lives and our place in nature. In today’s episode, we talk with Martha Blackwelder, a creative entrepreneur who founded Unexpected Adventures NYC, an educational company offering creative team-building events, including “Awe Walks” in Manhattan’s Central Park to encourage people to get outside in nature and find more moments of joy, aliveness, and awe. Martha, a widely recognized Asian art historian, is endlessly curious about the connections between art, culture and nature, and is passionate about inspiring others to slow down, reengage their senses and reclaim their own vitality for life.

When we graduate from college, we often have little idea of where we’ll find ourselves in the second half of life. We wonder how our career will evolve; how we will grow a family and move into our middle ages; what surprises will be revealed; and what legacy we will leave our family and friends—and the planet. In today’s episode, we talk with Leslie Danoff, a long-time friend who graduated in the ground-breaking first freshmen class of women at Yale; embarked on a career in professional broadcast journalism and documentary filmmaking; raised a family of three sons; and took an unusual turn into the world of conservation, co-founding Global Forest Generation, a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate meaningful forest restoration—and help stave off the scourge of climate change. Leslie will offer her wide-ranging observations about lifelong learning and how she made unconventional moves into uncharted territory later in life, and how we can all continue to grow—45 Forward.

It’s been 21 years since the U.S. Senate declared April to be National Financial Literacy Month, and since that time, financial education has become a perennial national issue, especially among young people who need key skills to take control of their money and plan for the future. But the importance of such skills has grown dramatically for older people, too, as they live much longer than previous generations and need to plan for retirement security during rapidly changing economy times. In today’s episode, we lead off Financial Literacy Month with Peter Janowsky, a long-time retirement planning specialist and “holistic financial planner,” who takes a broad conceptual approach, blending the emotional with the fiscal realities of planning. Peter, whose oldest client is 103, will talk about how to plan for “slow aging,” without significant hardships, only to be faced suddenly “very fast aging” requiring substantial financial adjustments. He’ll explain about how to prepare for working effectively with an array of financial, legal and health care professionals. And as the co-founder Project S.A.F.E. (Seniors Against Financial Exploitation), he’ll share strategies for how adult children caring for their parents can guard them against fraud and financial scams.

As we close out Women’s History Month, we talk with the Hon. Gail Prudenti, who reflects on her continually ground-breaking career as a distinguished jurist, law school dean and now partner of a boutique New York law firm. Judge Prudenti was the first woman to hold a number of judicial posts in New York State, including the Presiding Justice of the Appellate for the Second Judicial Department. Subsequently, she serves as New York’s Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts, supervising the operation of the statewide court system, with 3,600 state and local judges and 15,000 non-judicial employees. Judge Parenti will assess the challenges older women have faced in the workforce, especially the courts. She’ll describe her dynamic tenure as dean of Hofstra University’s Maurice A Deane School of Law, spearheading its 50th anniversary celebration and her multi-faceted efforts to strengthen the school. And she’ll discuss how her wide range of experiences in the legal system has shaped her perspective over the years, and the importance of the public confidence in the courts and other public institutions.

About six years ago, as Scott Fisher and Ben Green approached their 70th birthdays, the challenges of aging loomed ever larger for these two lifelong friends. Both of us had known people who had reached their eighties and nineties with enduring vitality—but also family members and friends who seemed to have given up on life. Scott, an organizational psychologist, and Ben, a psychoanalyst, were curious about these divergent paths, so they decided to explore together what kept some elders going strong while others lost interest or drive, or both. And they were determined to learn as much as possible about how to make their own elder years as satisfying and fulfilling as possible. In today’s episode, we take a closer look at the outcome of Scott and Ben’s still developing journey—their forthcoming book called “The Aging Wisely Project.” This is their second appearance on 45 Forward, as part of a series probing the concepts in their book, which presents a powerful and immensely useful approach to help propel our understanding of aging forward, especially at a time when public perceptions about “old people” and their mental competence are often badly misinformed. The co-authors propose the emergence of a new, distinct developmental stage of elderhood, which they call “Elder Identity Revision.” Scott and Ben will talk about several critical psychological tasks we face during this period, such as dealing with the loss of control and competence in our lives. They’ll also delve deeply into some of the skills and attitudes (they call them “Healthy Habits”) to address these challenges. By strengthening these healthy habits, they explain, we can make a substantial difference in how we experience this stage of life. “The Aging Wisely Project” offers a compelling journey into old age, and by understanding the psychological tasks that await us—despite the inevitable setbacks—we can bolster our hopes and expectations for improved health and happiness—a meaningful, well-lived life.

Dr. Ken Redcross is an internist with over 20 years of medical practice. He also is a concierge doctor to a number of families; volunteers as a physician tending to dementia patients in assisted living facilities; appears as an on-camera medical expert for TV news programs; and serves as an advisor and consultant to several companies, including supplement manufacturers and a leading manufacturer of adaptive wear for seniors and disabled people. Welcome to the fast-evolving world of medicine and entrepreneurship. In today’s episode, Dr. Redcross recounts his storied cross-country career, starting as a provider to farm workers in California, to his current multi-platform practice in the New York metropolitan area. He acknowledges that he “wears many hats as a solo practitioner,” but what connects his various enterprises is his commitment to “emotional intelligence” or E-IQ—what it takes for doctors and patients to be “true partners in wellness.” In his best-selling book, “Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor,” Dr. Redcross outlines the essential elements of a successful doctor-patient relationship: “trust, communication, respect, and empathy on both sides of the stethoscope.” When these four are paired with proper nutrition, daily movement, and a strong spiritual foundation, true health and healing can take place, Dr. Redcross says, and remarkable health outcomes can be achieved—something he has witnessed countless times over the course of his career.

As we begin the annual celebration Women’s History Month, it’s a good time to take a closer look at how women are progressing in their careers and in the workplace—specifically women of color. While women of color represent 20 percent of the U.S. population, they represent only 6 percent of C-level positions—that is, CEOs, chief operating officers and chief financial officers—compared to white women (22% )and white men 56%. In today’s episode, we talk with Analiza Wolf, the founder of Women of Color Rise, a firm dedicated to helping women of color get a seat at the table. As an executive coach, facilitator, author and keynote speaker, she has worked with hundreds of senior executives in organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and nonprofits. Drawing on her own wide-ranging experiences over the years and the stories of hundreds of women she’s interviewed for her podcast and new book, “The Myths of Success: A Woman of Color’s Guide to Leadership,” Analiza will describe some of the obstacles that have turned the glass ceiling into a “concrete ceiling” for many women of color. She’ll reveal the 9 myths that hold women back from the advancement they seek. And, she’ll offer an array of practices that can help women break through to the next level in their careers, as well as specific ways that organizations can create clear pathways to leadership in the workplace, not only advancing women of color, but making their organizations more innovative, more productive, have happier customers—and employees who feel valued and motivated.

Since 2020, the COVID pandemic has had a brutal impact on nursing homes, accounting for more than 200,000 deaths of residents and staff in long-term care facilities. Subsequently, the nursing-home industry has been the subject of intense public scrutiny, with critics pointing to insufficient staffing levels and low wages, cases of financial abuse or neglect, and the need for greater government oversight. But a growing number of advocates are moving beyond criticizing nursing homes and stepping up efforts to reform what they call is a “broken long-term care system.” In today’s episode, Rick Gamache, the CEO of Aldersbridge Communities in Rhode Island, talks about his decades-long involvement as a distinguished administrator, a thought leader, teacher and mentor to many individuals in the elder care industry. Mr. Gamache, who oversees four Aldersbridge communities—from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing facilities—does not shy away from the myriad challenges of long-term care. He describes the trauma of the pandemic, but also the heroic efforts of staff members at every level to pitch in under extremely high-risk situations. He explains the need to change how we pay for long-term care, as well as redesign buildings and shift to smaller communities to better serve residents and reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases. Mr. Gamache believes we need a new paradigm for nursing home care, and ultimately, his goal is to help train the next generation of leadership.

Hudson Cooper is proof-positive that career reinvention can be a lifelong enterprise—past our 50s and continuing well into our so-called “retirement” years. Hudson initially thought he would have a career in medicine and then law, but fortuitous events led him to a stint writing sports books for young adults and doing stand-up comedy. And that, in turn, led to an acting career which landed him roles in numerous movies and TV shows like “Law and Order,” “Madame Secretary” and “Bull.” In today’s episode, Hudson recounts the latest twists and turns of his career, first, as the writer of a wry and incisive newspaper column, “Random Thoughts,” for an upstate New York newspaper, and most recently, the host of a unique radio show, “ShowBuzz,” which recounts his behind-the-scenes experiences and stories with Hollywood celebrities and insiders. Hudson will share his own story of how his show was created and how he puts together refreshing and candid interviews each week with a wide-ranging roster of writers, directors and actors from across his career. Through it all, Hudson offers us lessons in persistence, resilience, humility and risk-taking—and the readiness to leap when life’s unexpected opportunities arise.

In an era of increasing longevity, we have the opportunity to lead vital and meaningful lives far into our later years. But there are lots of decisions facing “longevity adults” that require thoughtful, sometimes difficult, conversations with family, friends, colleagues, as well as experts in senior living. In today’s episode, Scott Fulton and Catherine Owens, the co-hosts of a lively podcast called “Tattered Capes,” present their rare blend of expertise in senior living and longevity lifestyles, offering sometimes widely divergent perspectives to achieve a common goal: Engaging people in life’s “missing conversations” that can spur us to a higher quality of life as we age. Catherine, a nationally recognized senior living expert, is the author of “Be Your Own Hero: Senior Living Decisions Simplified.” Scott, the co-author of influential works such as “Eldercare 101,” guides consumers and companies in designing better housing solutions for our longevity needs. Together, Catherine and Scott believe that while our experiences may leave our capes “somewhat tattered,” everyone has the power and capability to be the everyday hero of their own lives.

Over the last several decades, the job market has gone through a roller-coaster of change: the Black Monday stock market crash, the 1990s recession, 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 2008 financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the Great Resignation, and the ascent of artificial intelligence. Along the way, our careers have gone through dynamic changes, too. As we live longer (and hopefully healthier) lives, we often decide to work longer, have multiple careers, delay retirement, and seek new work experiences well into our later years. And Scott Passeser has seen it all. In today’s episode, Scott, who is Senior Vice President of the national recruiting firm, Executive Alliance, will offer his observations and insights about jobs for older, as well as younger folks, in a perplexing economic environment that seems both strong and vulnerable. The host of the widely popular weekly radio show, Jobline, Scott will talk about what employers are looking for in job applicants; what are some hot areas for job growth (think “climate change”); and how AI will affect us all on the job. He’ll also highlight some of his pet job-hunting peeves, like “easy apply” websites that enable people to avoid doing important homework; and he'll provide some valuable tips and tools for acing job interviews. And yes, for older workers who want to keep working, he’ll offer some thoughts about ways to consider a “progressive retirement.”

Every week, we see a stream of news stories about opioid addiction, drug overdoses, and mental health issues—people from teens to seniors coping with stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, loneliness and suicidal ideation. We live in an Age of Anxiety. And while there are numerous recovery programs and treatments, it seems as if the problems are growing, and the solutions are insufficient. In today’s episode, we talk to Asher Rabinowitz, a New York State licensed clinical social worker and credentialed counselor, who has worked in the field of alcohol and substance abuse treatment for the past 28 years. Over the course of his career working with thousands of individuals, he has developed an incisive approach to recovery, which he aptly calls, “simple—but not easy.” Plainspoken and passionate, Asher explains his new system of the “ABCs of Recovery” (a mnemonic sequence of Awareness, Boundaries and Consequences) and how it differs from other current approaches. He’ll talk about how he has used storytelling as an unusually powerful therapeutic tool that can offer people insights into the possibilities of change. And he’ll tackle the challenge that faces many individuals who successfully complete their recovery programs—but can’t take their progress to the outside world.

When we think about our later years, we know that because we’re living longer these days, we need to create a realistic financial plan for retirement—to make sure we don’t run out of money. But we still have a hard time talking about how to deal with long-term needs, even though the data show that two-thirds of us will need some sort of care after age 65. And we also have trouble facing the fact that adult children often become the caretakers and decision-makers for aging parents—and that a lack of planning can ruin our families. In today’s episode, Carroll Golden, a renowned expert in the field of extended and long-term care planning, offers a pragmatic, but personal and refreshingly accessible approach to this complicated and emotional subject. Carrol, the author of “How Not to Pull Your Family Apart: A Practical Guide to Caregiving and Financial Stability,” will spell out her three-step guide that provides a multi-generational approach to proactive planning, enabling families to gather information, put together a planning process, and structure a care planning team. She’ll unpack the emotional obstacles to effective family communication and present specific financial options to help families sort through the maze of alternatives. Ultimately, Carroll’s goal is to help us avoid the handwringing of uncertainty and live our best possible lives as we age.

In an age when health care is driven by specialization and technology, Dr. Stephen Post is a rare and remarkable blend of scientist and humanist, a best-selling author and transformative speaker who has inspired thousands of people with his acclaimed work on “the human side of medicine.” In today’s episode, Dr. Post, who is Director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York, will talk about how we can educate our medical students and professionals to foster an approach of “compassionate flourishing”—supporting the healing and well-being of patients by uplifting “the full measure of their being, including their life meaning and social roles.” From the start, there has been a spiritual side to Stephen’s work in caregiving, a continuous exploration of positive psychology, altruism, love, happiness, and the mystery of the human mind. He’ll talk about his ground-breaking research into the dynamics of compassionate care of persons with dementia and their caregivers, as well as the striking phenomenon of unexpected lucidity of “deeply forgetful” people. And broadening the issue of bioethics, Stephen will tackle the troubling issue of the widespread lack of public trust in medicine as well as other sectors and institutions in society.

As we head into another new year, we wonder what lies ahead in the coming months. We’re “curious,” we say, about what will happen in the November elections; what’s in store for us in new TV shows and movie premiers; the outcomes of our favorite sports teams; and what events will unfold in our lives, both traditional and unexpected. But curiosity is much more than simply striving to acquire information about things we’d like to know. In today’s episode, Perry Zurn, a professor of philosophy, and Dani S. Basset, a professor of bioengineering, will talk about a compelling thesis they present in their book, “Curious Minds”: that curiosity is fundamentally a practice of making connections. “Relational curiosity” connects ideas into networks of knowledge, and it connects the knowers themselves, both to the knowledge they seek, and to each other. The co-authors—who are also identical twins—will spell out three main styles of curiosity, which they’ve called the “butterfly,” the “hunter,” and the “dancer.” They’ll talk about what neuroscientists think is happening in the brain when people are curious, and they’ll describe the debate among educators as to how curiosity is related to learning. And Professors Zurn and Bassett will set out some thought-provoking arguments about how we should foster curiosity in the workplace, in schools, and more broadly in our culture—as a potentially important tool to help us navigate these challenging times. Curious to hear more? Listen in.

Most of us are well acquainted with salsa—the spicy mixture of tomato and chili sauce we enjoy with tortilla chips at Mexican restaurants and at parties with friends. But now we can learn about another kind of SALSA—no, not the Latin dance, but a zesty Texas-based initiative known as Successful Aging and Living in San Antonio—SALSA, for short. In today’s episode, we talk with Jane Paccione, the Managing Director of Collective Impact for the San Antonio Area Foundation, which created SALSA with the mission of transforming the community by advancing practices that improve the quality of life of older adults. A passionate and insightful advocate, Jane will explain how SALSA “brings everyone to the table”—connecting businesses, nonprofits, and government entities—thus creating a movement that turns collaboration into “collective impact,” an approach that is more likely to solve complex problems. She’ll describe the work of SALSA partners on issues such as housing, transportation, social engagement, health, and caregiver support. She’ll also talk about “Reframing Aging,” a key national initiative designed to change the narrative about what aging means, combat ageist stereotypes and language, and improve the public’s understanding of the many ways that older people contribute to our society.

As we close out another year and welcome in a new one, it’s an opportune time to pause and contemplate where we are in our lives, personally and as a nation. Are we happy and productive as we move into our later years? Spiritually fulfilled? How are we dealing with our challenges and crises? Are we finding ways to come together in community, to discuss and resolve differences, and move forward? In today’s episode, we talk with Rabbi Robert S.Widom of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, New York, who has been senior rabbi at the synagogue since 1969. Rabbi Widom has long promoted the development of strong community, promoting moral values while supporting a diversity of beliefs and opinions that make up America. He’ll reflect on his long tenure at Temple Emanuel, his experiences as a spiritual leader navigating turbulent times. As we celebrate a holiday season for many faiths, Rabbi Widom will describe his continual efforts to promote interfaith collaboration and dialogue through the Long Island Ethnic Coalition of Faith Partners—bringing together Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim groups. And he’ll describe his congregation’s highly-regarded lecture program, created to present a wide range of events and intellectual thought that reaches out to people, regardless of their background.

Since the launch of the New York Times Crossword in 1942, crossword puzzles have captivated problem solvers with engaging word games. For an estimated 50 million people, crossword puzzles are part of daily life, and for many, it is a lifelong passion. In today’s episode, Michelle Arnot, talks about her life as an “acrossionado,” a compulsive crossword puzzle constructor and solver who began this career in 1977 when she sold her first puzzle to the Times for $20. A renowned expert in crossword history and strategies, Michelle is the author of several popular books about crossword puzzles, including “Four-Letter Words & Other Secrets of a Crossword Insider,” “Crossword Puzzles for Dummies,” and “What’s Gnu, a History of the Crossword.” She’ll explain how the colorful world of crosswords has continually evolved, as well as reveal some inside tips, tricks and strategies for puzzle constructors, young and old. And Michelle will describe how she has blended her unique journey as a crossword connoisseur with her wide-flung career in publishing and nonprofit organizations around the world.

For centuries, science has been driven by human intellect. But for those of us who’ve grown up mostly in the last century, the course of science has been taking a dramatic shift with the ascent of artificial intelligence. What will science look like in the future and how will it impact us as we age? This is one of the key questions that Dr. Benjamin Lewin, the author of “Inside Science,” tackles in today’s episode of 45 Forward. Drawing on 25 years of experience as the founding editor of “Cell,” the world’s leading journal in biology, Dr. Lewin will also address some provocative issues, including how traditional scientific research has been done—and sometimes distorted—by factors such as pressure to publish, changes in the way science is communicated, and the shift away from hypothesis-driven science toward data-driven science. AI offers some stunning potential, Dr. Lewin notes, making it possible for scientists to get instant results from experiments that used to take years of work, potentially leading to new treatments of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease. On the other hand, the move toward using masses of big data to find correlations is a concern, because correlations can be misleading, and such a transition to “big science” may leave us with no individual researchers being able to see the whole picture.