Community: Recent Episodes
Untrained Wisdom
If you’re an older adult or have maturing loved ones and welcome inspiration and ideas on leading a more enriching life, this podcast is for you. Untrained Wisdom introduces you to ordinary people (age 55+) who have redefined the paradigm on what it means to become older, and industry professionals whose expertise guides seasoned generations to live more fulfilling lives.
After 2 years and 6 seasons of producing interviews, I've decided to end Untrained Wisdom. In this final episode, I reflect on my experience. Thank you all for listening.
Dorothy Oliver, owner and operator of the general store in rural Panola, Ala., joined forces with a local county commissioner in 2021 to get as many people as she could to get vaccinated from COVID-19 in her small black community. Dorothy's efforts included diligently communicating with residents and educating them about the disease, which resulted in a nearly 99 percent vaccination rate among the town's adults in a state with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S.
In this interview, Dorothy talks about the work she did before and after the vaccine became available as well as the recognition she's received publicly, which includes a personal address by Dr. Anthony Fauci. Her story was also featured in a 2021 short documentary by The New Yorker magazine called The Panola Project.
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Sonya Heitshusen was a television anchor and investigative reporter for nearly 30 years in the Des Moines, Iowa metro area. She's currently the public information officer for the Iowa Auditor of State and has had the opportunity to work on some investigations performed by the auditor's office. She's also an endurance athlete having completed three full Ironman races as well as numerous marathons and bike races. Her latest race, however, has nothing to do with swimming, biking, or running. Earlier this year, Sonya announced her candidacy for the Iowa House of Representatives District 28. In this interview, she talks about how her past experiences as a journalist and how her experiences in her previous career as well as endurance training have have prepared her to run for elected state office.
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Sonya's recommendations: - The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eger - St. Thomas (vacation) - Power Life Yoga
Shuva's recommendation: - Belabored: A Vindication of the Rights of Pregnant Women by Lyz Lenz
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.
Tony Rodriguez was a well-respected trauma therapist whose life was cut short in a tragic accident. Some time after, his wife Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez began journaling. Many of her raw, unfiltered accounts in the first 14 months of grief became the foundation of her 2022 book, "A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance: A Love Story of Grief, Trauma, Healing and Faith" published by Chalice Press. In this interview, Jennifer talks about the complexities of navigating life as a widow and mom to their two sons, the therapies she turned to in helping her healing, writing the book, and who this book is for.
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Jennifer's Recommendations: - Cello suites of J.S. Bach - The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.
Helping others has always been the center of Gwen Tombergs' being, especially when it comes to the senior population. So when the opportunity came to start her own business, she took a leap of faith and started Fresh Start Living QC in January 2021. Based in the Quad Cities – a region of four cities in southeastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois – Gwen helps senior citizens organize and declutter if they are staying in their home or helps them downsize if they are moving. In this interview, Gwen shares how the business started and some of the living situations she comes across.
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Gwen's Recommendation: - DarrenDaily podcast
Shuva's Recommendations: - A Slight Change of Plans podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.
Lillian Colón was the first Latina Rockette to perform at Radio City Music Hall. Her years of experience on stage and backstage prepared her to ultimately audition for and be cast as a dancer in the 2021 musical film In the Heights. In this interview, Lillian shares what it was like to be at the audition and on the set, where she was the oldest dancer. Furthermore, Lillian briefly mentions her rough early years, which she spent in an orphanage and have served as a launching point for recent creative projects, including her memoir called Lilly: The First Latina Rockette.
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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.
Alexis Baker is a licensed and board-certified music therapist in Portland, Oregon who started Bridgetown Music Therapy, a subscription-based video library service with lessons targeted for aging adults. In this interview, Alexis talks about what music therapy (and what it's not), who her clients are within the senior citizen population that utilize her service, how the BMT platform works, and why this type of health service is beneficial. Furthermore, Alexis mentions the American Music Therapy Association as a resource for anyone interested in finding a professional in their area.
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Alexis' Recommendation: - Survivor - Fixer to Fabulous
Shuva's Recommendation: - Cheer
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.
Kai Swanson and Jenni Swanson are two of Illinois' local elected leaders. Kai serves as a member of the Rock Island County Board, and Jenni is an alderwoman in Rock Island, Illinois. In this conversation, the two talk about their interest in politics, why they got involved, how it has evolved in recent years, what they've learned about themselves, and more.
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Jenni's Recommendation: - Beach / paddleboarding
Kai's Recommendation: - Sa som i himmelen (As It Is In Heaven)
Shuva's Recommendation: - My Octopus Teacher
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.
In Season 6, I have seven new episodes of guests whose experiences have shaped their narratives and aim to challenge our own beliefs of what’s possible.
All my guests this year are based in the U.S. Guests this season are from Iowa, Illinois, New York, as well as guests for the first time from Oregon and Alabama. This preview episode introduces the following guests:
- 4/3 Season 6 preview
- 4/5 Ep. 48: Illinois Local Elected Leaders Kai Swanson + Jenni Swanson
- 4/12 Ep. 49: Aging Adult-Focused Music Therapist Alexis Baker
- 4/19 Ep. 50: "In The Heights" Dancer Lillian Colon.
- 4/26. Ep. 51: Quad-Cities-Based Packing + Moving Expert Gwen Tombergs
- 5/3. Ep. 52: Grief + Healing Author Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez
- 5/10. Ep. 53: Iowa House Candidate Sonya Heitshusen
- 5/17. Ep. 54: Panola, Ala. Vaccine Advocate Dorothy Oliver
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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.
As we say farewell to another interesting year with the pandemic in our lives, a few guests from the show share some of their highlights from their 2021 after an introductory story from host Shuva Rahim about Ep. 12 guests Pat Provencher and Patsy Dullea.
In this episode you'll hear from:
- Estate Attorney Gordon Fischer, Ep. 2
- Personal Video Historian Steve Trainor, Ep. 4
- Climate Action Activist Miriam Kashia, Ep. 5
- Prenatal Yoga Instructor Roberta Kelinson, Ep. 11
- "Women Going For It" Author Diana Coleman, Ep. 22
- University of Iowa Device Advice Leader Ken Brown, Ep. 37
- Dog Biscuit Baker Co-Owner Laura Taylor, Ep. 42
- Iraq War Doctor-Soldier + Stroke Survivor Jon Kerstetter, Ep. 44
- Alzheimer's Family Advocate Karla Hult, Ep. 46
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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Check out guest recommendations on Pinterest. Finally, you can support the show through Patreon or leave a tip on the Goodpods app.
Interested in starting your own podcast? Sign up here for your own Buzzsprout account.