Meet Susan Rice, a comedian and actress who’s bridging the generation gap through humor. You’ve probably seen her in movies, commercials and maybe your local comedy club. She calls herself “a funny old bag” and continues to do standup for audiences from Gen Z to near 90. Join Nancy Franklin as she and Susan banter about Rice’s 40-plus year career, dish about life on the road in her 70s, and being the “cool” grandmother everyone wishes they had. 

Website: susanricecomedy.com

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Binnie Klein is a Renaissance woman. At 74 she has reinvented her life time and again, from poet to psychotherapist to memoirist to songwriter, with several steps in between. 

She picked up boxing as a sport when she was 55. The red gloves in the corner of the gym caught her eye, and a memoir followed in 2010.   

A surprise phone call in 2016  triggered memories of a long-ago love, heartbreak, and the radical politics of the 1960s. A six-part audio memoir ensued. 

In this episode, she talks with host Jane Trombley about creativity being the “sustaining thing,” the essential  “nutrient” for her well-being.

Binnie started writing poetry at age eight. Childhood piano lessons laid the foundation for playing the music of the 60s on a hand-me-down guitar. In her 20s her poetry won awards and fed into her interest in becoming a psychotherapist. She has maintained a private psychotherapy practice since 1984, 

Binnie began a music and interview show on FM radio (WPKN, Bridgeport Connecticut, WPKN.org) in 1975. She’s been a DJ there ever since. 

A few years ago, a 30-something Australian songwriter sent her some material requesting airplay. They started collaborating with Binnie’s poetry and released an album, Quiver,  in 2024.  

What’s next? There is a lot in the pot. Have a listen. 

P.S. Exciting News: Binnie invites you to the In These Trees and Tartie listening party April 27, 2025, at 6 PM/Eastern, celebrating their musical collaboration and debut CD. Binnie (AKA In These Trees) will be in a live chat from Connecticut, with Tartie (Tash Anderson) from Australia! To attend this FREE event, RSVP here.   Downloads and CDs are available.

 Show Notes: 

Binnie’s  Website

Binnie's Substack: Open Tuning

 WPKN Radio Program 

Book: Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind (SUNY Press, 2010)

Audio Memoir Ten Days in Newark, 2018

Album:  “The Quiver” 2024

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In this episode, Jean Anne Feldeisen talks with Connie Zuckerman, Managing Editor of the weekly newsletter agebuzz. In her late fifties, Connie started a small online newsletter for her circle of friends and family. Eight years later, agebuzz has grown to 50,000 subscribers.

Before agebuzz, Connie spent years as a lawyer, bioethics consultant, and writer. Her career includes studying and making decisions about issues related to aging in settings like nursing homes, care facilities, and hospitals. 

Did all that prepare her for living under the same roof with four generations of family? In the second half of the episode Connie shares her thoughts about the challenges of The Club Sandwich generation, including what it takes to make an intergenerational home work for a household with ages ranging from young kids to ninety-year olds.

Agebuzz is a weekly newsletter that pulls together all the latest information on topics of interest to older adults: nutrition, exercise, balance, fall prevention, loneliness, etc. 

The information the editors provide has been carefully curated to be reliable, useful and accessible to older adults. The material in each newsletter is easy to understand but also provides links for further research. To sign up for the free weekly newsletter, or just check out all the good info, go to agebuzz.com.

Please take our Crow's Feet Podcast Listener Questionnaire. A 2-minute survey that will help us imake the podcast even better. We appreciate your feedback.

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An interview with leading Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Expert, Alan Beyer, M.D.  As we age, our risk of falls rises, leading to the  specter of serious and debilitating injury. But we can minimize those risks with some knowledge and common-sense precautions. Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Dr. Alan Beyer, the Executive Medical Director of Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Newport Beach CA and host of radio show "Doctors in the Dugout" as he talks about falls and falls prevention in older adults. 

Tell us what you think of our podcast. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey at this link: https://bit.ly/3DtI6m1 The Crow's Feet Podcast team needs to hear from listeners like you — all responses are strictly confidential, and your opinion will help us bring you episodes that matter. Thanks in advance!

Show links:
Dr. Alan Beyer “On the Other Side of the Scalpel” video blog: https://www.hoagorthopedicinstitute.com/blog/2012/october/hip-replacement-for-the-orthopedic-surgeon-on-th/

Or watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ-T9N2QZM4&t=5s

Hoag Orthopedic Institute, home page
https://www.hoagorthopedicinstitute.com/

Alan H. Beyer, M.D., Hoag Orthopedic Institute
https://www.hoagorthopedicinstitute.com/find-a-doctor/alan-h-beyer-m-d-/

"Doctor in the Dugout" (Heard on AM 830 in Southern California) https://www.am830.net/show/doctor-in-the-dugout/#:~:text=Doctor%20in%20the%20Dugout%20is,features%20special%20guests%20and%20more.

About Alan Beyer, MD, FACS

Alan H. Beyer, MD, FACS is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery of the knee and total knee replacement. As one of the founding physicians of Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), Dr. Beyer has held key leadership roles since 2011 and currently serves as medical director. HOI is consistently rated in the top percentile of the nation for orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Beyer graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine. During his residency at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York, he became the chief resident of orthopedics and went on to complete a sports medicine fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic. Dr. Beyer’s passion for sports initially led him to specializing in orthopedics and continues to drive his active lifestyle and practice today.

Dr. Beyer has published numerous papers and presentations on sports medicine and joint replacement. He is also currently involved with clinical research as the principal investigator for two studies.

Dr. Beyer hosts the weekly “Doctor in the Dugout” radio show on AM 830 KLAA, featuring keen insights and an entertaining twist on sports medicine-related topics, current injury reports special guests and more.

Dr. Beyer generously lends his expertise to many organizations, including serving on the board of the Arthritis Foundation of Orange County/Inland Empire and as the chairman and team physician for the Newport Beach Breakers. The recipient of the 2007 Vin Jorgenson Award for volunteerism at Hoag, Dr. Beyer remains an active volunteer and generous supporter of Hoag Orthopedics, the education and research organization supported by HOI physicians. His philanthropy helps support HOI’s preeminent fellowship programs in training the next generation of orthopedic surgeons. He is a past president of Hoag’s 552 Club and enjoys serving on various Hoag fundraising committees for the annual Hoag Classic golf tournament.

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"Skilled nursing facility." "Post-acute care facility." "Rehabilitation hospital." Whatever they're called, they all mean the same thing: what most of us think of as a nursing home. The time may come when you or someone you love needs that level of care — and that need can be sudden, like after a fall or accident.

When that happens, you can end up in a whole new world that operates by different rules — rules that may not be explained to you. That's why you'll want to listen as host Jan M Flynn chats with our returning guest, elder care manager and consultant Kira Reginato.

As an elder care manager and consultant, Kira has served hundreds of older adults and their families in a variety of settings: hospitals, residential care and skilled nursing facilities, hospices, Alzheimer’s adult day care programs and Meals on Wheels. 

 Kira is the author of the book "Tips for Helping Your Aging Parents… without losing your mind." 

We'll also hear from Dorothy Guajardo, another elder care specialist and owner of A to Z Gerontology serving Sonoma and Marin counties in California. She has some eye-opening stories about what can happen when nursing home patients or their loved ones don't know their rights.

So stay tuned — because when it comes to nursing homes, what you don't know can hurt you.

Show Notes

For more information about Kira Reginato, visit her website at www.Callkira.com  and check out her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyO7atbCToRbKmnFI6EZGAg

Kira is the author of the book Tips for Helping Your Aging Parents...Without Losing Your Mind – click the link to purchase a copy.

To learn more about Dorothy Guajardo and the services she provides, visit A to Z Gerontoloty at https://atozgerontology.com/about-us/

Interested in finding a care manager for yourself or your family? Visit the national Aging Life Care organization at www.Aginglifecare.org

Find an Ombudsman in your state: The National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (NASOP) is a nonprofit organization that was formed in 1985. NASOP is composed of state long-term care ombudsmen representing their state programs created by the Older Americans Act: https://www.nasop.org/

Or contact the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) by going to: https://ltcombudsman.org/

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) provides support, technical assistance, and training to the 53 State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs and their statewide networks.

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Whether you’ve been with your significant other for one year or 50, you know that successful relationships aren’t always a bed of roses—both people have to work at it! How do we keep love alive and thriving, especially as we age, when our bodies, our work, our family situations, and our personal needs are changing?

In this special Valentine’s episode, you’ll hear from a veritable Whitman’s Sampler of Crow’s Feet writers, listeners, and relationship experts—all sharing advice about how not to lose that loving feeling, no matter how long you’ve been together—no matter how much life has thrown your way.

Featured guest contributors: Dr. Frank Powers and Dr. Gloria Horsley, Dr. Dale Atkins, Melinda Blau, Patricia Thornton, Joe Franklin, Kerry Kramer, Carole Olsen, Mel Schlesinger, Lisa Alexander, Beth Bruno, Catherine Dunn-Gilbert, J. Michael Flynn, and Mary McGrath. Guest readers: Jane Trombley and Rich Halten.

Want more from this episode’s guests? Visit the following links:

Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers:

 • Featured in the February 14 2024 Crow’s Feet podcast

 •Authors of Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating

Dr. Dale Atkins:

 • Featured in the December 25 2024 Crow’s Feet podcast

 • Author of The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children

Melinda Blau:

 • Author of The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter

 • On Medium

Patricia Thornton, Ph.D.:

 • Featured in the January 8 2025 Crow’s Feet podcast

 • On Medium

Kerry Kramer:

 • On Medium

Carole Olsen:

 • On Medium

Mel Schlesinger:

 • On Medium

Lisa Alexander:

 • On Medium

Beth Bruno:

 • On Medium

Catherine Dunn-Gilbert:

 • On Medium

Mary McGrath:

 • On Medium

Share your thoughts with us:

NPR video on how to record and send your comments on the show. At the end, instead of sending to NPR, email your comment to crowsfeetpodcast@yahoo.

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Beauty fads come and go. Today, you can choose from Derma-planing, CO2 laser resurfacing, Mesotherapy injections, Exosomes and.....BOVINE COLOSTRUM? Do any of these work or are we just f-ing up our faces? Meet Valerie Monroe, former Beauty Director of “O”, “The Oprah Magazine” and author of the popular “Don’t F*ck Up Your Face” on Substack. In this episode, Monroe talks about what works, what doesn’t, and what it really means to age “beautifully,” including the most important, and affordable, beauty product you can put on your face. This is for anyone who’s looked in a mirror and asked “WTF?!”

Here's an NPR video on how to record and send your comments on the show. 
But at the end, instead of sending to NPR, email your comment to crowsfeetpodcast@yahoo.com. Or text to 404-786-3605.

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That’s what psychologist and “dating anthropologist” Patricia Thornton, Ph.D., considered when she re-entered the dating scene after a divorce. In this episode, hosted by Nancy Franklin, we learn about Thornton’s experiences dating more than 150 men and whether or not she eventually hired a male escort. Thornton offers great advice for elders reentering the dating scene, including dating outside the lines, and even embracing unconventional relationships.

NPR video on how to record and send your comments on the show. 
But at the end, instead of sending to NPR, email your comment to crowsfeetpodcast@yahoo.com. Or text to 404-786-3605.

Music in this episode includes a selection from Tech Oasis on Pixabay.

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In this episode, Dr. Dale Atkins talks with Jan M Flynn about something many of us would love to see more of in our communities, nation, and world: Kindness. More specifically, what authentic kindness means, and how it can show up in deeper and richer ways as we age — and how that can contribute to a kinder world for us all.

Based in New York City, Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist with more than 40 years experience as a relationship expert focusing on families, wellness, managing stress, and living a balanced, meaningful life. Author of seven books and many chapters, articles, and journals for popular and professional audiences, Dale is a featured speaker who lectures and leads seminars worldwide. She has appeared regularly on NBC’s TODAY and CNN. Dale has a private psychology practice in New York City and has been a member of, and advisor to, several nonprofit boards, including Jumpstart for Young Children, from which she recently retired after serving twenty-two years, since its founding. She has two children and six grandchildren, and lives in Connecticut.

Show note links: 

Dr. Dale Atkins website: https://www.drdaleatkins.com/

Nature Walk Talks by Dale Atkins

Books by Dr. Atkins:

The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children
https://www.drdaleatkins.com/the-kindness-advantage-book/

Sanity Savers: Tips For Women To Live a Balanced Life
https://www.drdaleatkins.com/sanity-savers-book/

Wedding Sanity Savers: How to Handle the Stickiest Dilemmas, Scrapes, and Questions That Arise on the Road to Your Perfect Dayhttps://www.drdaleatkins.com/wedding-sanity-savers-book/

I’m OK, You’re My Parents: How to Overcome Guilt, Let Go of Anger, and Create a Relationship That Works
https://www.drdaleatkins.com/im-ok-youre-my-parents-book/

Sisters
https://www.drdaleatkins.com/sisters-book/

From the Heart: Men and Women Write Their Private Thoughts About Their Married Lives
https://www.drdaleatkins.com/from-the-heart-book/

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It’s a gift to let your family and other loved ones know what to do when you’re gone and what you want done with everything from pets to possessions. But where to start – and how to make that happen? One answer: Rusty Rosman’s “Two Envelopes” – a way to preserve “your voice” and let others know your wishes.

In this anecdote-packed episodes, Rusty Rosman tells all-too-familiar stories about how we tend to avoid the difficult topic of dying and the chaos that comes of not-planning.  After all, we all have an expiration date...as host Melinda Blau puts it, “at least until there’s a cure for mortality!” In the meantime, it behooves us to each leave behind a roadmap for our loved ones.  

Rusty wrote her book, "Two Envelopes", as a guide to get us started navigating the practical and emotional complexities of end-of-life planning. She stresses that "Two Envelopes is not a workbook or a filing system! It's a guide to personal reflections and conversations you'll have with your loved ones. As you prepare your envelopes, you'll be ensuring that your voice, your wishes, continue to guide your loved ones after your death." 

"Two Envelopes" is available on Amazon and other booksellers. If you'd like to connect with Rusty, go to her website or email: TwoEnvelopesABook@gmail.com.

Thanks to comedian Susan Rice for allowing Crow’s Feet to feature one of her Don’t Tell Comedy YouTube clips in our intro. Over the last 42 years, Susan has honed her craft at major comedy clubs around the country. In 2024 at the age of 72, she filmed her first 45 min special called "Silver Alert!" Read more about Susan on her website or listen to her podcast with Art Krug, “Stop Me If I’ve Heard This!” 

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In these weeks before the holidays, Mother Nature, the daily news, sometimes our own families, can seem to conspire to drive us all batty. In this podcast, we serve up a feast of useful suggestions for keeping it together in these turbulent times. Join host Jean Feldeisen and a Bakers Dozen Crows Feet Readers and Writers as they share their secrets for resilience and taking care of themselves.

Show Notes & Links:

Melinda Blau talked with Ellen Langer, Psychologist and Harvard Professor in this episode from 9/27/23.
Learn more about Ellen at ellenlanger.me

Barbara Biziou, Spiritual Alignment coach, Motivational Speaker and Ritual Expert.
Listen to Jean's interview with Barbara on August 9, 2023

Hear Patricia Ross on our episode from 7-26-23 with Melinda Blau.

Contact writing coach Roz Warren at roswarren@gmail.com.

We promised a link to this Mayo clinic article about laughter.

Voices heard from our Crows Feet Community:

Jean Feldeisen
Nancy Franklin
Bruce Murray
Carole Olsen
Chris (who didn’t leave her last name)
Lee J. Bentch
Mary McGrath
Gail Knapik
Jan M. Flynn  
Orren Onken
Betsy Sweet

Music in this episode includes works from Pixabay.com by Nicholas Panek and Christoph Scholl.

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How do we remember our past? What stories do we tell ourselves that become ingrained as memories even though the stories might not be real? 

Author, memoirist, and septuagenarian Jonathan Lerner sits down with Jane Trombley to reveal discoveries about his teen years outside Washington DC as he researched for his latest memoir, Performance Anxiety. Some of the stories he recalled didn’t quite line up with reality, a discovery that caught him by surprise. 

Jonathan also talks about his earlier memoir, Swords in the Hands of Children, chronicling his early adult years as he dropped out of college, joined the anti-war movement and the militant Weather Underground organization. It took him nearly thirty years to process the experience, and gain enough distance to write a successful memoir, despite easy access to public archival material, early manuscripts and recorded interviews with former colleagues. Swords was published in early 2017. 

What is the upshot of delving into long-ago memories? As Jonathan says, “The result can be a kind of peacemaking with yourself and self-forgiveness, (and) maybe forgiveness of someone else.”

We close with some pro tips for all us amateur memoirists looking to capture our own stories. Have a listen.

Show links:

Memoirs:

Performance Anxiety: The Headlong Adolescence of a Mid-Century Kid

Swords in the Hands of Children: Reflections of an American Revolutionary

Website:   Jonathan Lerner

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Music in this episode includes: Blue dot-Jane & Jon Lumber Down by <a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/284009">Blue Dot Sessions</a>

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/moodmode-33139253/?utm_source=link attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=201745">Vlad Krotov</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=201745">Pixabay</a>

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Pull up a seat! It’s time to get in the Halloween spirit with some campfire stories.

In this special episode, Crow’s Feet writers and editors share some dark tales and memories of lore and legend just right for the season. 

Ever had an eerie experience you couldn’t explain? We’ve got a strange feeling you’re going to love “Cowbells and Ouija Boards” by Jan M. Flynn and “The Guardians of Dark Places” by C.M. Barrett (read by Jane Trombley). 

If ghost tales are more your thing, feel the goosebumps as Soozie Campbell tells “A Chilling Story” and Crow’s Feet founder Nancy Peckenham spins a tale about her great-great grandparents, “Margaret and Christopher.” 

The holiday wouldn’t be complete without a creature double feature! Two pieces – “The Werewolf of Defiance, Ohio” by Betsy Allen and “The Jersey Devil,” a poem by Jean Feldeisen – just might have you looking over your shoulder. 

And because we can’t resist leaving you with a smile, we treat you to a fun spooky season memory: “Gomez Addams and the Pumpkin Caper” by Nancy Franklin. 

Enjoy our show and Happy Halloween!

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Neil Offen doesn't necessarily believe that aging "sucks." He just believes there are things you can do to make it less "sucky." Like spending more time on the floor so if you fall, you're falling from less high up. Or exercising by lifting two glasses of wine, one in each hand, for several repetitions. Or challenging yourself by taking up a new hobby, like neurosurgery. After all, a man's reach must exceed his grasp or what's a step stool for? Join Neil and host, Nancy Franklin, for other helpful, and funny, tips on aging.

Neal's book, "Building a Better Boomer" is available on Amazon and lots of other places online as well as brick & mortar bookstores.

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What if we're not stuck living with weakening bones and painful knees or hips as we age? Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Dr. Alan Beyer, the Executive Medical Director of Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Newport Beach CA  and host of radio show "Doctors in the Dugout" as he talks about heading off osteoporosis, what to do if joint pain starts limiting your life, and his journey through his own hip replacement. 

Show links:

Dr. Alan Beyer “On the Other Side of the Scalpel” video blog

Or watch on YouTube

Hoag Orthopedic Institute, home page

Alan H. Beyer, M.D., Hoag Orthopedic Institute

Doctor in the Dugout Radio Show (AM 830)

Music on this episode includes Weathervane and Chafftop by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Fear of anger can ultimately be as destructive as expressed rage. However, Amanda Barusch argues that it's time for older adults to turn toward anger rather than denying or avoiding it. By taking it seriously, people can neutralize its destructive potential and harness its energy for personal and social change.

Join host Lee Bentch with Amanda Barusch for this entertaining and informative dive into harnessing the energy of anger for the better good. Amanda has done an extraordinary amount of research on the topic, recently releasing a book titled Aging Angry: Making Peace with Rage.

Amanda is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and the University of Utah. She has served as Editor in Chief for the Journal of Gerontological Social Work and Deputy Editor for the Australasian Journal on Aging.

Comments? Suggestions? Call our toll-free Crows Feet Feedback line at 800-222-2216.

Help Build a Positive View of Aging by Supporting Our Non-Profit Work.

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The Generation X folks are no longer kids. They were born between 1965 and 2000, are now 44-59, and the oldest will soon enter their sixties. 

They have stepped into leadership roles across sectors, bringing their life experiences and perspectives to shape the future. 

Sari Botton is on the leading edge of that age cohort; she'll turn 60 next year. Besides publishing the engaging Oldster Magazine on Substack, she’s an established essayist, editor of best-selling anthologies, and educator. 

In this episode, Sari Botton offers a unique and thoughtful perspective on Gen X aging, a topic that has fascinated her throughout her life. 

Host Jane Trombley and Sari explore the concerns of Gen X aging into a world qualitatively and quantitatively different from the one Boomers experienced—concerns about climate change, economic and job uncertainties, and the stability of Social Security. All this against the backdrop of conventional worries about moving into the next chapter of life. 

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Websites: 

Oldster Magazine

saribotton.com

Music on this episode includes instrumental by nojisuma from Pixabay

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Elaine LaLanne, widow of "Father of Fitness," Jack LaLanne, leads an audience of hundreds in breaking a Guinness World Record at the age of 98. After catching her breath, Elaine shares her new thoughts on aging.

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With a new book about the women who inspire her to live a full life, NY Times best-selling author Melinda Blau talks with host Nancy Peckenham about unique women who come to life on the pages of The Wisdom Whisperers. She also introduces us to two of these women by reading passages from her newly-released book.

Author Kathleen Murphy, an essay writer from Utah, then reads her story about how she overcame fear of aging by making a list of her fears, then poking holes in each of them.

The episode ends with a reading by Mark Tulin, a writer and poet, who shares his contentment with life in his late 60s and his firm belief that he never wants to be young again.

You can order The Wisdom Whisperers on Amazon and learn more about Melinda at her website www.melindablau.com

Read more of Kathleen Murphy’s work on Medium by visiting her profile page here.

Mark Tulin’s writing is published on Medium as well. Visit his profile page here.

And check out more great essays about the latter half of life at Medium.com/crows-feet or visit www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com.

Music in this episode includes Palms Down from Blue Dot Sessions, ceton from Pixabay, and Roman Senyk from Pixabay.

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Low mood is a common symptom for older adults, often a response to pain, loss, or changes in their lives. But Dr. Lee Penn, a Geropsychologist, college prof, and author, brings a hopeful message. That because of decades of experience, refined self-knowledge, and carefully honed problem solving skills, older adults can learn to manage their moods and greatly improve their quality of life. In this episode, host Jean Feldeisen, also a psychotherapist, talks with Dr. Penn about his work with older patients, including advice for them and their families. 

Dr. Penn has written The Golden Rules of Retirement and The Golden Rules of Life Satisfaction, to help people take practical steps to feel better. You’ll find them at Amazon.com. To learn more about his research in Geropsychology, go to his website: lifecanbegolden.com.

Music includes The Green Room by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Here's a companion piece to our latest episode featuring a kidney donor in her fifties and a two-time kidney recipient. Crow's Feet writer Ann Litts had a long career as a nurse taking care of transplant patients, and saw her own daughter through a transplant. Nobody knows better the marvel of giving and getting the gift of life.

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Kidney disease is a silent killer that affects more people than breast and prostate cancer. While fatal for many, others turn to kidney dialysis, offering a means to sustain life but with a few risks. Beyond dialysis, the best hope is a kidney transplant, which restores life without the burden of dialysis. In this episode, host Lee Bentch sits down with Carol Offen, a kidney donor in her fifties, and Betsy Crais, a multi-organ transplant recipient. Their book, The Insider’s Guide to Living Kidney Donation, is a must-read for both kidney donors and recipients about giving or getting the greatest gift.  

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A fitting quest for Pride Month, Esther Newton's personal and professional struggles mirror sixty years of LGBTQ+ history. 

In the mid-1950s, catapulted out of a liberal household in New York to a rigidly-gendered southern California high school where girls were frilly and feminine, Esther was, in her own words, “a failure as a girl.” She knew she was different—a “homosexual,” as such deviants were then called.  Alone as a teenager, fearing she had no chance at a normal life, Esther found comfort in Margaret Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa. “It showed me the culture of the 50s and 60s was just one among thousands and thousands.”

Like Mead, Esther earned her PhD in cultural anthropology. She dared to observe and write her dissertation on drag queens, a culture much closer to home. She wrote scholarly papers on “stone butches,” and how they had sex. She outed herself and became more of an activist in her collection of essays, Margaret Mead Made Me Gay.  It was “career suicide,” she says of her early work in the field, but Esther seems to have the last word in her memoir, My Butch Career, and on screen, in the 2022 documentary, Esther Newton Made Me Gay.  Today, a new generation looks up to her for her courage and foresight.

You can view the trailer for Esther Newton Made Me Gay on her website as well as links to her writing:  https://www.Esther-Newton.com . Crow's Feet is grateful to Jean Carlomusto, director of Esther Newton Made Me Gay, and Women Make Movies, the distributor of the film, for allowing us to use excerpts. Access the full documentary via Kanopy, if your local library subscribes, or by contacting the distributor: orders@wmn.com 

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Forget the necktie and the tool box. Our gift to you this Father’s Day is a book…The Book of Dads, to be exact. 

Here you’ll find a collection of stories from Crow’s Feet writers that pays tribute to the men who played vitally important roles in their lives.  

In the “chapters” of this book, there’s a wealth of vivid memories. Some of these are happy. Some are sad. Others serve to remind us that while a parent might have loomed larger than life in one’s childhood, they might also have exhibited some very human foibles. 

Betsy Allen and Rand Bishop recall the special ways they found a connection with their fathers in ways both large and small. Bruce Stambaugh, Daniella Mini, Alex Jordan, and Mary McGrath reminisce how, over the years since their youth, they came to understand their dads better—and appreciate them. And finally, Jerry Dunn, Ilana Rabinowitz, and Jane Trombley share the influences their fathers had on them and recognize the lasting legacies they left behind. 

So pull up a chair, relax, and let us tell you some stories about our dads. 

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Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance dedicated to honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the service of our country. It is a time for all of us to reflect on the sacrifices made by these brave individuals and to show gratitude for their unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms.

Join Lee Bentch as he speaks with Barbara Kautz, a Vietnam War veteran who served with the 24th Evacuation Hospital at the Long Binh Army Post in 1969. Barbara’s thoughts, concerns, and the impact ongoing death had on her are very poignant and touching.

Memorial Day has become overshadowed by Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer vacation. Lee points out that there is nothing wrong with going to the beach, starting a vacation, or spending time at a picnic or amusement park, as long as Monday, May 27, is reserved for a few minutes of silence, tears, and thoughts for the 700,000 men and women who fought in the many wars that shaped our country and died doing so.

 These are men and women who will Always be Remembered and Never Forgotten. 

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