becoming bOLDER
becoming bOLDER is a meaningful conversation meant to share lived journeys. At WCBR, we believe older adults or elders have talents and wisdom to share. We also believe that we are all more than our past – acknowledging present interests, the future, and possible selves is important because aging brings new opportunities and capacities for growth, contribution, and self-expression. This podcast illustrates that older adults are accomplished and are involved in and a vital part of their community. The path to elderhood will look and feel different for everyone. It may be living life with intention, gerotranscendence, acting as a guide for those who come behind, handing down knowledge, and/or nurturing well-being among communities. Our guests demonstrate that there is no right or wrong way to age. We invite you to listen in. Together, we are becoming bOLDER.
Listen on:
Episodes
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
In this episode of becoming bOLDER, Melanie Benjamin the Executive Director of The Center talks about her own thought on aging programs offered at The Center, and the importance of raising awareness about loneliness and isolation and creating interventions and programs that lessen this epidemic. We hope you will give it a listen.
Saturday Feb 01, 2025
Saturday Feb 01, 2025
In this episode of becoming bOLDER Dan Keenan talks about his career in math and science, his interests in physics, his family, and how life meanders. Don't miss this conversation.
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
In this episode of becoming bOLDER Bruce Chase talks about being grateful for each day, experimenting and taking risks, building community, believing in things we can't explain with science, living with no regrets, and his interests in technology. You don't want to miss this episode.
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
In this episode of becoming bOLDER Donna Cloud shares deeply thoughtful and personal stories of both loss and connection. She tells us what she would say to her younger self and speaks about questions she is pondering. Donna wraps up the conversation with a beautiful poem.
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Emily Hartka, the Co-Founder and Director of the Charlottesville Ballet; and Kathryn Tokar Conley a Company Artist with the Charlottesville Ballet and CB Moves Coordinator, talk to us programs offered at WCBR as well as free programs offered in the Charlottesville community. They also highlight research that shows how dance enriches lives and makes people healthier - whether you are actively dancing or watching other people dance. Emily and Kathryn also talk about how the Charlottesville Ballet creates a place of belonging for all ages, abilities, body types, and more. Dancing is for everyone!
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
In this episode of becoming bOLDER, Cherry Bourque talks about her hobbies, her childhood, travel, and being thankful. Cherry also shares her experience as a transplant recipient and how that has influenced her thoughts on the meaning of and purpose in life.
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Don't miss this episode of becoming bOLDER with Bobbie Hoskins. She talks about her extremely meaningful teaching career, the various places she and Jim lived, experiencing a stroke, staying positive, taking things one day at a time, and meditation.
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Don’t miss this episode of becoming bOLDER with Bob Gowen. He talks about his childhood adventures, working at a lumber camp, being a volunteer fireman, friendship, and being interested and involved. You don’t want to miss this episode.
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Allison Agarwal Novak, the current chair of the WCBR Board of Trustees, talks about experiencing profound grief, joy, and the future. She also talks about midlife, blending families, and her volunteer role with WCBR. You don't want to miss this episode.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Marta Keane (pronounced Kane) talks about her work as the CEO of the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), her upcoming "reinvention". She also covers ageism and ableism, recovering from a stroke, giving back, and curiosity. You can learn more about services offered by JABA and volunteer opportunities here: https://www.jabacares.org/.
Ageism is the stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. Ageism can take many forms, including prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory practices, or institutional policies and practices that perpetuate stereotypical beliefs about people who are older.
There are behaviors we can demonstrate to act against ageism. Here are a few:
1. Recognize it. How do we treat people differently based on their age?
2. Speak up. If you hear something ageist, consider pointing it out in a productive manner. Rather than make someone defensive or embarrassed, you can politely share with them how what they said/did was ageist and a recommendation of how to do it differently next time.
3. Treat people of all ages with the respect you want. Or even better ask people what they want instead of assuming they want what you want.
4. Be inclusive. Promote intergenerational experiences so that learning and understanding can go in both directions. This helps build relationships and solves ageism against older and younger people.
5. Give yourself a break. We all act in ageist ways or make ageist comments - sometimes meant as a joke, like giving an "over the hill" birthday card to someone. Once you know, next time, a different choice can be made.