Zoomer Week in Review

Brain Canada researchers along with ones from the world renowned Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel are teaming up to better understand the brain and its disorders. One-and-a-half million dollars will support up to three team grants of half-a-million each over two-years. Professor Rony Paz of the Weizmann Institute from Israel and Brain Canada’s President and CEO Dr. Viviane Poupon’s in Montreal joins Bob Komsic to discuss. AND How old is too old for one to be driving? The province is considering introducing an enhanced road test for those over 80. Currently, drivers have to renew their licence every two years after reaching that milestone. The renewal process involves attending a senior driver education session that involves a vision test and having to draw a clock which measures cognitive abilities. It does NOT examine motor function and co-ordination, concentration, hearing ability, spatial perception, and reaction time. Ministry of transportation research in 2020 showed more than one-third of drivers older than 80 who passed the clock-drawing test could not pass a road test. The recommendation is for the introduction, by 2026, of an enhanced road test that could combine driving manoeuvres of a standard highway test with additional scoring to gauge cognitive abilities related to safe driving. The Zoomers’ advocacy group CARP and its chief policy and operating officer Bill VanGorder thinks the province should reconsider.

Irwin Cotler is a former Canadian justice minister who served as Canada's special envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism and is the focus of the cover story in the latest issue of "Zoomer Magazine". He's also under around-the-clock police protection because of a threat to his life. His daughter, Michal Cotler-Wunsh was named Israel's new special envoy to combat antisemitism just before October 7th. She joins Bob Komsic to discuss the current state of rising international antisemitism and Canada's failure to address it. AND A study carried out by two U of T doctors has discovered that the gender of a surgeon can save health-care a lot of money. It involved over one-million adult patients who had about two dozen common elective and emergency surgeries between 2007 and 2019. The co-authors found costs for patients, whose health data was checked at one-month, three-months, and one-year after surgery, were about 10% lower if they had a female surgeon. The study can be found in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Surgery. Co-author Dr. Angela Jerath joined Bob Komsic to discuss their study.

There's no scenario where a former senior Israeli army officer sees Hamas freeing ALL remaining hostages. Moty Cristal served for several years in various official negotiation capacities in the prime minister's office and Israel's ministry of defense and for the past 22-years has been an expert negotiator in the private sector. AND The shriek of a boy or girl on Christmas morning when they open their presents overjoyed they got what they’d wanted. For that child in most of the rest of us that’s a present in itself and, for most of us, luckily not the only one. But what about those seniors who may not otherwise get gifts? Home Instead partners with nursing homes and other groups interested in bringing them presents and smiles with its "Be a Santa to a Senior Program" as Mark Maclean explains.

The lead up to the holidays has begun. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, when charities, companies and individuals rally for favourite causes. The world’s largest generosity movement, Giving Tuesday, encourages donation of time, talents, and resources to address various challenges. Charity Intelligence does the homework and is the go-to source for info so that donors can give intelligently. Greg Thomson is research director. AND Looking for something different in a dining experience? Check out Canada’s best new restaurant, Kappo Sato, in Toronto on Mt Pleasant Road. Takeshi Sato is chef owner of the Kappo-style Omakase restaurant. Its Marketing Director, Ken Masuda, explains why such restaurants are so rare in Canada. Food Critic Amy Rosen was the one who determined Kappo Sato to be Canada’s best new restaurant. She dined anonymously at over 30 establishments nominated by food industry experts during her month-long journey and shares her experience.

Sharon Avery: Lonely in Toronto Toronto could be one of the loneliest cities in Canada. A new report on the quality of life in this city paints a grim picture. Released this week, the Vital Signs Report by the Toronto Foundation finds residents more lonely, struggling more with mental health, and less civically engaged. We reached Foundation CEO Sharon Avery about the findings and how to remedy the problem. Cathrin Bradbury: A Warning About Retirement Is it time to think of a 60 year career rather than 40? One recent Toronto retiree thinks yes, as it’s been a less than dreamy passage to retirement than she planned. Author and journalist Cathrin Bradbury is among the largest generation in Canadian history to move into retirement. In a just published article, she spoke with dozens of experts on everything from finances to health and discovered retiring in your early to mid 60’s can be summed up in one increasingly terrifying word - longevity.

Israel is receiving help of all kinds from all corners of the world and from all types of organizations, such as American humanitarian group HaYovel, whose volunteers include cowboys. The operations director is Joshua Waller and joined Bob Komsic from Israel. AND Following years of delay, the bronze sculpture of the late Queen Elizabeth II is finally on public display, joining a statue of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria elsewhere on the grounds of the legislature also known as "Queen’s Park." The woman behind the work, artist Ruth Abernethy, joined Bob Komsic to discuss.

When medicine called, Brad Strauss answered. A cardiologist at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for years, he answered another call in early October when he, like the world, witnessed the terrorist attack against Israel and decided to head there to try to save lives. He joined Bob Komsic on the phone from Israel to share his experiences. AND For many, the only way to see your doctor or therapist was in-person. But, like so many things in the world, March 11th 2020 changed everything, likely forever in a lot of cases. That’s why the Canadian Psychological Association decided it was necessary to come up with new tele-psychology guidelines. Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Church chaired the working group and joined Bob Komsic to discuss.

Shortly after the news of what happened in Israel, on October 7th, reached the eyes of the world condemnation followed but at least two American academics couldn’t believe what they were hearing and not hearing from leading universities in the U.S. The two wrote an article titled "Why Was It So Hard for Elite Universities to Condemn Hamas Terrorism?" One of their opening lines pulls no punches, "What they said, and what they did not say, provides a window into the culture of intellectual and moral rot and cowardice that reigns at these once great institutions." Co-author Michael Poliakoff, adjunct professor of classical studies George Mason University in Virginia, joins Bob Komsic to discuss. AND Remember the "triple-demic" of last fall and winter? Seasonal flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). With a new highly effective RSV vaccine recently approved for those 60 and older, the National Institute on Ageing feels a lot more needs to be done as vaccination rates in this age group are underwhelmingly low. Arushan Arulnamby co-authored the Institute’s report on this and joins Bob Komsic to explain.

With many in Canada and around the world having ties with Israel, families in the region whose relatives were taken hostage by Hamas are doing all they can to help the government secure the release of all captives. Among them is Malki Shemtov who recalls the day terrorist gunmen grabbed his 21-year-old son Omer. AND With Small Business Week now in the rearview mirror it’s not too late to recognize and celebrate the more than 400-thousand small businesses in Ontario and their 2-million employees. The president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Rocco Rossi, begins by looking down what the Bank of Canada still sees as a rocky road as companies expect sales growth to slow over the coming year.

Simcha Jacobovici, the filmmaker behind "The Naked Archeologist" lives in the centre of Israel but one of his daughters was stuck in a shelter in the border town of Sderot for 30 hours and made a narrow escape while terrorists rampaged through the streets. His son’s best friend was killed in the fighting and his assistant’s nephew has been taken hostage. He joins Libby Znaimer on the phone from Israel to offer a first-hand account of life in Israel in the week following last Saturday's barbaric terror attacks by Hamas. AND The images coming out of the barbaric Hamas attack on Israeli civilians are more graphic than ever, they have been playing out on social media in real time, and they are also being broadcast on mainstream media. The perpetrators want to instill terror and the victims want the world to know what is happening but watching these images can be traumatic. Libby talked to psychologist Dr. Sam Klarreich to discuss the mental toll that come with closely following the news on the war.

If Argentina was always known as the haven for Nazis then Canada is the unknown one. Canadians got a reminder that many Nazis fled to this country when 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka was recognized in Parliament during the recent visit of Ukraine’s president. Among the many who’ve known for decades that ex-Nazis found safe harbour here is Steve Rambam, a war crimes investigator who joined Libby Znaimer to discuss. AND Losing a loved one is hard and putting what they meant to you in words can also be difficult. But for some it’s actually easy. Take the case of Amanda Denis, who lives outside Sudbury and lost her father. Saying she believes the dead have a responsibility to the living Amanda wrote a "good riddance" obit for her dad. She joined Bob Komsic to explain.

The restaurants that made it into this year’s Michelin Guide were announced with great fanfare earlier this week. But what is the benefit and what is the cost of that designation? I checked in with food writer and consultant Cory Mintz who is something of a contrarian when it comes to the hype around the world-famous Michelin stars. AND Saffron Cassaday’s Designer Shit is a documentary which follows her years long efforts to cure her ulcerative colitis with fecal transplants using with her husband as the donor. The transplants have become a mainstream treatment for C-difficile and trials are underway to test their efficacy for everything from Irritable Bowel Syndrome to depression.

The consequences have been mounting since Prime-Minister Justin Trudeau's bombshell accusation that India may be behind the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Diplomats from both countries have been expelled, India has issued a travel advisory against Canada, and India has suspended visa services in Canada. There are also growing concerns about whether it was the right move. Libby Znaimer talked with former CSIS agent Phil Gurski AND Toronto’s leaders have shaped the city in its 19 decades of existence, and they run the gamut of rogues and rebels as well as forward-looking social crusaders. Mark Moloney looks at all of them in Toronto’s Mayors: A History of the City’s Leaders.

The rates of opioid prescriptions in this country have steadily climbed the past 30-years as Canadians have become one of the top consumers of prescription opioids in the world. While the perception of the crisis focuses on the young, a new study found that it is older Canadians who have the largest overall consumption rate of opioids. All this is found in the latest report from the National Institute on Ageing, one of its co-authors is Dr. Samir Sinha. AND Think hockey and Gretzky comes to mind. Think just about almost anything else in Canada and Jean Augustine should come to mind. The Grenada-born Canadian recently turned 86, the same day the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival celebrated its 18th year with the first presentation of the Augustine Award of Excellence. Jean is the first Black woman MP and cabinet minister, parliamentary secretary to then Prime Minister Jean Chretien, First Ontario Fairness Commissioner and, after leaving that job, she’s continued working with many organizations for education and social justice.

If you’re retired, how’d you make the transition, are you just starting to give it some thought, or maybe you're right in the midst of starting the next chapter? It’s not only a financial decision but an emotional and socially challenging one as well, as Mariella Hoy discovered on her journey to becoming a retirement coach. AND Which are some artists that come to mind who are on the soundtrack of your life? The Beatles? Rolling Stones? Just about any Motown act What about Sharon Hampson? One-third of "Sharon, Lois and Bram", Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison have continued carrying on the legacy after Lois Lilienstein passed away in 2015. Not only are they celebrating the 45th anniversary of their first album, they’ve just released their third children’s book based on another of their popular songs, "Peanut Butter & Jelly", both of which Sharon was more than happy to talk about.

In its 48 year history, the Toronto International Film Festival has had to face the challenges of 9-11, SARS, and the pandemic to name just a few. This year there’s a strike to contend with. Libby talked with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. AND It’s hardly the kind of announcement that you’d think would inspire warm wishes, support, and personal stories - but that was the reaction Justin Trudeau got after he and his wife of 18 years announced their split. What is behind 21st century divorce? Libby reached psychologist Dr. Sam Klarreich

For the last 15 years or so, the increasingly wild and wacky selections of food at the CNE has taken centre stage. Libby Znaimer chats with the man behind them, the manager of midway concessions and outdoor exhibits at the CNE, Michael Knott. AND It's been a neighborhood gathering place and a local landmark for more than 40 years. The Acropolis Bakery on the danforth is being forced to move and to close to make way for the Ontario Line. Owner Bill Gekas tells us what it is like to take on Metrolinx.

Her cells allowed researchers to develop vaccines for polio, the coronavirus, and treatments for disease including cancer, Parkinson’s, and the flu. But they were taken from Henrietta Lacks, a poor Black mother of five, who was dying of cervical cancer in 1951, without her knowledge or consent. Her descendants recently reached a settlement with a biotech company they claimed were profiting from her cell line named for her. But it raises the question: do we own our genes and DNA? Libby Znaimer reached medical ethicist Dr. Kerry Bowman AND For most Zoomers, it’s a choice between retiring or continuing to work at a slower pace or volunteering. But what about taking up something entirely different? Libby Znaimer spoke with barber’s apprentice Brad Ross, the former chief spokesman for the city of Toronto.

Should breast cancer screening start at 40? That’s a key recommendation in a new study from researchers at the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. Breast Cancer is among the leading causes of death for women in their 40’s and 50’s in Canada. But currently, only women 50 and older get routine screening through the Ontario Breast Screening Program. This new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology argues that lowering the age will offer a better chance of survival. We reached one of the authors, Professor Dr. Jean Seely, head of breast imaging at the Ottawa Hospital. AND Anthony Quinn, the Community Officer with the Zoomer advocacy group CARP, has sent a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow asking the city to reconsider new rules banning cars from High Park. He calls it a “leave grandma at home policy.” Meantime, protestors continue to gather at the west end park in a turf war over City Hall's new anti-car measures that bans vehicles on weekends and holidays while city staff work on a plan to eventually ban cars altogether. But there are many groups who support the car ban, pointing to the success of other big cities around the globe. Tensions recently boiled over at one of the rallies. We reached 84 year old Diane Buckell, of the group High Park Access For All who wants the city to ensure that everyone has access to the park.

Jean Augustine made history in 1993, as the first African-Canadian woman elected a Canadian MP. The 85 year old attended this week’s Emancipation Day in Toronto kicking off a month of events as this city recognizes the struggle for human rights and the contributions by people of African descent. The annual event marks the freeing of slavery of more than 800-thousand Africans in British controlled regions around the world including Canada. We reached Canadian Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, a strong advocate of social change and also the first African Nova Scotian woman to serve in the Canadian Senate. AND Canada falls far behind the European Union when it comes to compensation for air travellers. In fact, if possible when travelling overseas, advocates recommend choosing a European carrier as the EU is considered the “gold standard” when it comes to compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. In Canada, the much criticized air passenger rights legislation is under review. We reached air passenger rights advocate Gabor Luckacs about what you need to know about compensation plans for other countries when your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Millions of people on three continents are baking under blistering temperatures and scientists are reporting that this month will be the planet’s hottest on record by far. One thing is certain, it is even riskier if you are older or have health problems. It is important to be cautious and get relief quickly when you are overheated. Dr. Samantha Green joined Libby Znaimer with some tips on staying safe. AND Countries and retailers around the world are getting rid of best before dates on fresh food in a bid to cut food waste. How can you tell if a product is still good to eat even if it may be past the peak of freshness? Libby Znaimer talked with Sylvain Charlebois, professor in food distribution and policy at the agri-food analytics lab at Dalhousie University.

Alzheimer’s disease experts are revamping the way doctors diagnose patients by creating a seven point rating scale based on cognitive and biological changes. Unveiled this week at the Alzheimer's Association Conference, the change promotes a numerical system to assess the disease progression similar to one used in a cancer diagnosis. These changes come as new treatments, including blood tests, offer faster and more effective Alzheimer’s diagnosis. We reached Canada’s foremost expert on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research, Dr. Sandra Black, a senior scientist at Toronto’s Sunnybrook hospital who calls the recent developments ‘game changing.’ AND The late Queen of Soul is offering a cautionary tale about estate planning. When Aretha Franklin died in 2018, it’s believed she left no will meaning the bulk of her fortune in real estate, jewelry, and music royalties would be split among her four sons. But after her death, not one but two handwritten wills were discovered and this month, two of her four sons went to court to contest one of them. A Michigan jury ruled the will from 2014, found in her couch, is valid and overrides one found four years earlier. We reached Toronto lawyer David Mills for some tips on estate planning.

During the last two federal election campaigns, the Trudeau Liberals vowed to hike the C.P. Survivors Benefit by 25%. They delivered on a promise to increase old age security for those 75 and older but the survivors pensions continue paying little or nothing, in some cases. Actuary Doug Chandler explains where things stand now. AND Do you have a go-to place to eat, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner? You may want to check out a new book that features many well-known eateries, some that you may not have heard of or haven't yet checked out. There are even some listed that predate confederation! Thus the title, "Where We Ate". Bob Komsic caught up with Gabby Peyton, on the East Coast, to learn what inspired her to write it.

Affordable housing was the key issue in this week’s Toronto byelection that swept Olivia Chow into the mayor’s chair. Now, real estate giant RE/MAX is getting behind an idea that could deliver more of it. The 15-minute neighbourhood is a place where residents are a 15-minute walk, bike, or transit ride away from all their daily needs. Libby Znaimer talked with veteran urban designer Ken Greenberg. AND How much time and energy do you spend thinking about food? Does it make you eat more even if you already feel full? It’s called food noise and Libby talked with obesity specialist Dr. Sean Wharton about it.

"Necessity is the mother of invention" and that’s what motivated a retired Ontario woman to create a network for other women who found themselves retired and unable to afford rising housing costs. Average rent across Canada is up about 20 percent from pandemic low and still rising. So Pat Dunn of Peterborough founded "Senior Women Living Together", to help others find roommates to share rising housing costs. Christine Ross caught up with the resourceful 73 year old, and former public health nurse, who calls this her mission. AND Canada Bread will pay a historic fine of 50-million dollars after pleading guilty to its role in a criminal price-fixing arrangement that raised the wholesale price of fresh bread. This country’s Competition Bureau says it's the highest price-fixing fine ever imposed by a Canadian court. Canada Bread admitted it arranged with its competitor, Weston Foods, to increase prices for various bagged and sliced bread products. It’s the first time any companies besides Loblaw and Weston admitted to being involved in the scheme since the story broke in 2015. We reached Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director with the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, to ask is if this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food price fixing.

Canadian AI experts are sounding the alarm about the dangers of artificial intelligence by urging Ottawa to pass legislation quickly as the technology advances. The government is currently working on legislation that would eventually penalize companies and individuals who use the technology unethically but experts fear it’s too far off. To break this all down, we reached Luke Stark, assistant professor at Western University who studies the ethical and cultural impacts of AI. AND Why are there so many pesky mosquitoes this year? The thirsty bloodsuckers appear to be increasing in numbers across Canada and experts point to a number of reasons why and how you can best protect yourself, your family, and even your pets! We reached biologist, mosquito researcher, and assistant professor at Acadia University, Laura Ferguson, who’s based in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling for the removal of the Commissioner of Corrections Canada after its quiet and unexplained decision to transfer notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo from maximum to medium security lockup. And the federal government has expressed shock over the move that was done in secrecy. Outrage is growing over the transfer leaving many asking about victims rights vs the rights of convicted criminals. We reached Memorial University Associate Professor Dr. Scott Kenney who specializes in criminology and victims rights. AND This week marked the 79th anniversary of D-Day that still resonates today. Historians often refer to it as the beginning of the end of World War II. June 6th 1944 marked the invasion of the beaches at Normandy in northern France by troops from Canada, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries during World War II. The operation became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Juno Beach is most famous for being one of the five landing spots for the D-Day invasion. We reached Alex Fitzgerald-Black, executive director with the Juno Beach Centre Association based in Canada that runs a war museum in France.

It’s a world first that experts hope will have a huge impact. As of August 1, Canada will become the first country in the world to print warning labels directly on individual cigarettes. They will carry messages like "poison in every puff" and "cigarettes cause cancer". The hope is that this will deter new smokers and encourage more quitting. Libby Znaimer reached Rob Cunningham of the Canadian Cancer Society. AND It’s a conundrum for both the rich and the poor. Zoomers worry about outliving their money. It is the result of good news, that we are living longer, but the problem is not knowing how much we will need and when. It can prevent us from enjoying our hard earned money when we are alive. Of course, it is worse for those who don’t have enough to handle rising prices and rampant inflation. The National Institute on Ageing had an in-depth look at the stress of this uncertainty and Libby talked with Dr. Samir Sinha.

This week, special rapporteur David Johnston tabled his long-awaited first report by announcing he’s not calling for a full public inquiry into Chinese interference in Canada because of the sensitive and classified information involved. While not surprised with the decision, critics say it’s misguided amid accusations of a conflict of interest. So what will be the political fallout? We reached Ian Steadman, Professor of Canadian Public Law and Governance in the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University who argues in this case, perception is reality. AND 95 year old Bill Wall lost his vision in 2003 due to macular degeneration but says he hasn’t lost his drive. That’s why the nonagenarian will hop on a tandem bike to again take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer next month for the 11th time. Now in its 16th year, the 200 km trek from Toronto to Niagara Falls has raised more than 250 million for cancer research at Toronto Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, among the top 5 research centres in the world.

A review of scientific literature published this week isn’t offering new advice, according to one expert in the field of gynecology who has 30 years experience studying menopause and who helped author guidelines for women looking for relief. The study just published in the Canadian Medical Association reinforces a shift already underway, that hormone replacement therapy should be the first treatment offered to menopausal women to help manage symptoms, and it also highlights the overstated risk of HRT from two decades ago. We reached Dr. Jennifer Blake, Professor and past CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada AND Spring has sprung as bird watching takes ‘flight’ with more of us paying more attention to ‘tweets’ and NOT the twitter variety! 50 million birds will visit Toronto this spring and there are dozens of events on the calendar for bird enthusiasts who learned this week that, after 50 years, Ontario removed bald eagles from its at-risk list. Ironically, while the hobby grows in popularity, bird populations are declining. Jody Allaire is Director of Community Engagement with Birds Canada.

We’re wrapping up Nursing Week in Canada, a time to recognize nurses for their important role in health care. Many believe Ontario’s nursing shortage has reached a crisis point, impacting nurses and the quality of care patients receive. Poor working conditions and the pandemic have left them burnt out with many considering or actually leaving the profession they once loved. We reached Dr. Claudette Holloway, President of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario. AND Generation gaps are just as big as they were in the late ‘60’s when it was the Boomers who weren’t understood by their parents. That’s the conclusion of Generations Expert Jean Twenge who’s out with a groundbreaking research into how the different generations connect and conflict with one another. In her new book, ‘Generations, The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future’ Jean chronicles the six living generations each with their own values and attitudes and she dispels some myths like the belief millennials are broke and Boomers are the only rich generation. We reached author and San Diego State University Psychology Professor Jean Twenge.

The U.S. Surgeon General is calling it a public health crisis. Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory calling attention to the dangers of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. Even before the pandemic, about half of American adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness, which can increase the risk of disease and death. The situation is most likely the same here in Canada. Libby Znaimer talked with loneliness expert Dr. Nancy Newall, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology at Brandon University. AND Bob Hunter was a co-founder of Greenpeace and of the environmental movement as a whole. He was also our friend and colleague for years at City TV. His widow, Bobbi Hunter, edited a new book about his extraordinary life, "Mr. Mindbomb - a Life in Stories".

Is it third time lucky or strike three you’re out? Earlier this week, Liberal Transport Minister Omar Omar Alghabra unveiled his latest fix to the Airline Passenger Rights Bill. It sparked lots of criticism and has critics wondering why Ottawa doesn’t just follow a model that works? Libby Znaimer talked with NDP Transport critic Taylor Bachrach AND This week Zoomer Media launched it's very own line of cosmetics. Right now, when the beauty industry markets to older women, the watchword is anti-aging. Our concept is simple: celebrating Zoomer beauty. Libby Znaimer talked with Natasha Reay GM of The Zoomer Store. You can check out the offerings at zoomerstore.com

65 percent of organizations across Canada are facing a volunteer shortage and the decline is leaving organizations that depend on volunteerism struggling to move forward post COVID. As we wrap up National Volunteer Week that celebrates Canada's 24 million volunteers, we look at how the pandemic has created a critical shortage of volunteers, many are Zoomers who donate their time to help others. We reached Dr. Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada. AND How happy are you? Research shows it’s critical to our overall well being, affecting everything from our physical health, our relationships and even our productivity at work. In recent years, Canada has been consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. This year, of the 137 countries ranked, Canada placed No. 13, two positions higher than the United States. Libby Znaimer spoke with the creator of the most popular course in Harvard’s history - the happiness course - Dr Tal Ben-Shahar.

British Gardener Charles Dowding’s influence stretches across the globe, renowned for his gardening method with 40 years experience. The ‘No Dig’ approach isn’t just saving him time, it costs less. In this conversation with Libby Znaimer, Charles presents a convincing case for ‘No Dig’ as not only easy but more productive. AND After 40 years of marriage, Rona Maynard fell in love with another male. And it was all set up by her husband! At 65, Rona let her husband convince her to get their very first pet dog, a rescue mutt named Casey. A pet can complicate plans, at a time when older adults look forward to travel and hobbies, but it didn’t take long for Rona to fall in love with Casey and she’s sharing her story in a new book called Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World.

It’s the holiest time of the year for many religions. This year, Ramadan, Passover and Easter converge for the first time in 30 years. In Toronto, at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica , there will be a new face at the altar guiding the Catholic congregation through Easter service. 51 year old Archbishop Francis Leo was installed last month, weeks after Pope Francis formally named him to the post, replacing Cardinal Thomas Collins who stepped down on his 75th birthday. We caught up with Archbishop Francis Leo during holy week, to learn about his role leading Toronto’s Catholic community. AND The data is overwhelming. One-in-four Canadians is a caregiver for a vulnerable person. They’ve been called the unseen backbone of the healthcare system and many are in crisis and at the breaking point because most must hold down full time work. Tuesday marked National Caregiver Day, to honour those who play an essential role to provide critical support for those in need. We reached Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization.

Are you tired of "tip-flation", of being asked for more money, on top of tax, at every point of sale, even for the teensiest transactions where no service is involved? An Angus Reid poll finds that nearly 65% of us have been asked to tip more often and dole out larger tips. Over the last 5 years, the average gratuity has jumped from 16 to 20 per cent. Libby Znaimer talked with Digital and Cyber lawyer and strategist Ritesh Kotek. AND It’s a massive research investment to change the outcomes in cancers with the lowest survival rates. Six charities and agencies, including the CCS, have awarded fifty-five million dollars to find breakthroughs in pancreatic, esophageal, brain, lung, liver, and stomach cancers. Libby Znaimer talked with lead investigator Dr. Steven Gallinger. Note: Libby is involved in the project as a patient partner.

It’s a grisly last resort for many families struggling to settle the estate of a departed loved one. They hope a fingerprint or face scan from the deceased body will unlock the digital assets behind phone and computer screens which they can’t get into. Libby Znaimer talked with technology expert Carmi Levy about how to protect and pass on your online legacy. AND The documentary "Four Winters" tells a little known story of Jewish Partisan resistance during the Holocaust that focuses on women. The documentary tells the tale of a group that took up arms in the forests of Eastern Europe to fight Nazis and their collaborators. It unfolds through the testimony of the fighters who were there, including Toronto resident Faye Shulman who added a touch of panache with the leopard coat she wore. Director Julia Mintz dropped by the studio to talk about the film ahead of the Toronto premiere. It will will be screened daily at Hot Docs Cinema until Sunday April 2, 2023.

March is Fraud Prevention Month and police are giving special attention to grandparent, or emergency, scams. They have been around for years but now a growing number of people are falling victim and the amount of money they reported losing last year was over $9.2 million, up exponentially from $2.4 million in 2021. Libby Znaimer spoke with Det. Constable Kristin Thomas from the Major Fraud Unit at Toronto Police. AND Her approach is the opposite of No Pain No Gain. Miranda Esmond White is a former ballerina who developed Essentrics after enduring weeks and months in bed because of back pain. She says her system redefines gentle stretching and it can keep us fit and even reverse damage. We talked about her new book: The Movement Miracle

We set the clocks ahead an hour overnight, returning to daylight saving time. It’s no secret that a good night's sleep is important for overall mental and physical health and it fact, it’s been proven that irregular sleep can lead to heart disease and a host of other health issues. New research presented recently at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting suggests our bedtime habits could be key to a longer life. We reached sleep specialist Colleen Carney, director of Sleep Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University for reaction. AND The impact of fraud on the elderly can be more emotional than financial. We’re hearing more about fraud cases targeting older adults, like the grandparent and romance scams, and cybercrime. While the number of reported cases rose 40 percent last year, many more go unreported. But we rarely hear about the non-financial cost to the victims who are dealing with trauma, guilt, and shame that can linger far beyond the crime. We speak with registered clinical psychologist Laura Devlin to learn more.

At first it was dismissed as a conspiracy theory but this week both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that an accidental laboratory leak in China most likely caused the coronavirus pandemic. Other government agencies believe the virus jumped from animals to humans and the authorities concede there is no consensus on the matter. That’s why we thought it was a good time to revisit our October 2021 interview with Toronto investigative journalist Elaine Dewar who wrote a book on the subject. She explained how she reached her conclusions in “On the Origin of the Deadliest Pandemic in 100 Years: An Investigation. “ AND When it comes to the subject of book banning, most of us think about the Middle Ages, or the Nazi Regime, or science-fiction but it is happening more and more often, especially in the U.S., where the volumes that have been challenged include Anne Frank’s ‘The Dairy of A Young Girl,’ and Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale. That’s why the Toronto Public Library system has become a book sanctuary offering special sections with 50 banned titles aimed at all age groups. Libby Znaimer talked with chief Librarian Vickery Bowles.

As we wrap up Black History month, you may be surprised to learn that tipping has roots in racism. After the US Civil War, tips or gratuities were an exploitative measure to keep wages down for newly freed slaves in service jobs. Skip ahead to modern day and the practice is expanding in the gig economy. But advocates for fair and liveable wages say the pandemic has "tipped the scale" in the fight for service workers to earn a decent living. .Christine Ross reached Saru Jayaraman, Director of the Food Labour Research Centre at UC Berkeley. AND The pandemic put all major international auto shows on pause but it’s not the only driver of poor attendance. Even before COVID-19, the once popular shows had been on the decline in popularity but not just with consumers. Automakers are turned off by the huge expense and like the rest of the world are going digital. Christine Ross reached Bernard Wolfe, Professor Emeritus of Schulich School of Business for some insight.

The bombshell that led to the resignation of Toronto Mayor John Tory underscores some long term trends affecting many in the Zoomer demographic: a lengthy marriage in trouble, a much younger woman, a relationship apparently born during a very intense and stressful time at work. Libby Znaimer talks with Family Demographer Rachel Margolis, of the University of Western Ontario. AND It seems unfair. Many manufacturers force consumers to use only their own proprietary services and components when they need to repair products they have paid good money for. The Right to Repair is the movement to change that. Libby reached Aaron Perzanowski, a Professor of Law at University of Michigan

It’s a conundrum for older people who want to age in place and their children: How to make sure a senior is doing well when family can’t always be there. A new report titled Special Delivery from the National Institute of Ageing finds that postal workers could provide the answer. The idea is a service where the workers would check in on clients who subscribe along their mail routes. Libby Znaimer talked with Dr. Samir Sinha, head of geriatrics at Sinai health and UHN, and a co-author of the report. AND Kitchen utensils. Books. A child’s shoe. These are some of the objects discovered during recent archaeological excavations on the site of the HQ of the WW2 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The discoveries were made at Mila 18 - also the name of the famous Leon Uris novel - and are shedding light on the lives of the hundreds of thousands of Jews confined to the area and the history of the 1943 Uprising. Libby spoke to Holocaust educator Tsvi Sperber after he toured the site.

The documentary, "First to Stand", tracks the cases and causes of Irwin Cotler. You know him as a Former Justice Minister currently serving as a Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism. Cotler, above all, is a renowned human rights lawyer who set a template for freeing political prisoners going back to his first case: Soviet dissident Anatoly Natan Sharansky who was imprisoned in 1977. Libby Znaimer reached Irwin Cotler in Jerusalem. AND She was a force of nature, a legend and an icon. Hazel McCallion was a rare politician who was beloved as well as respected. She also epitomized aging well, remaining engaged and relevant until she died last week at 101. Here we share some of the best of the interviews Libby did to mark her 100th birthday.

It sparked debate in recent weeks with word the US Consumer Product Safety Commission was looking to take action on hazards posed by gas stoves used in millions of homes. An outright ban is now off the table but the renewed concern has ignited debate in the US and Canada. So what should consumers do? We reached Dr. Jeffrey Siegel, a professor of civil and mineral engineering at the University of Toronto. AND It’s hard to believe and it’s happening more than you may think. Organized crime groups are behind a string of real estate frauds in the GTA. Thirty homes have either been sold or mortgaged without the real owners’ knowledge and experts say the majority of victims are boomers. So what can you do to safeguard against becoming a victim? Christine Ross spoke with Brian King, President of private investigation firm King International Advisory Group.

Elon Musk says it’s the reason he looks fit and ripped and there are unconfirmed reports the drug Ozempic enabled Kim Kardashian to fit into Marilyn Munroe’s dress for the Met Gala. The drug was approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity but its popularity on social media, and with celebrities, has led to shortages and a debate on who should have priority access. Libby Znaimer talked with Dr. Sean Wharton. He specializes in treating obesity and is medical director of the Wharton Medical Clinic. AND 1-in-4 Canadians provide unpaid care for a friend or loved one and they spend a total of 5.7 billion unpaid hours doing that each year. Many struggle to balance care and paid work, and to manage burnout. The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence was recently launched to give them a new voice. Libby Znaimer talked with ED Liv Mendelsohn.

It’s not unusual this time of year for people to make healthy resolutions around food. This year, there’s a new spin that is also good for the environment: cutting food waste, which averages 140 kilos per year. Libby Znaimer talked with leading health and wellness expert, Rose Reisman, about practical ways to rescue much of what usually ends up in your bin. AND He’s an Emergency Room doctor, author, and survivor of advanced stage 4 cancer. Dr. James Maskalyk has also recently been named executive editor of CMAJ. Libby caught up with him now that he has returned to work with a new perspective on practising medicine

He’s been on the front lines of fighting misinformation for years - from debunking wacky wellness trends to countering anti-vaxx conspiracy theories. Edmonton professor and author Timothy Caulfield, whose Cheating Death series was featured on Vision TV, is a newly minted member of the Order of Canada. AND It’s the latest take on eating healthier in January: the Reducetarian diet. No one will win a marketing award for that name but it offers guidance on reducing the amount of animal products we consume without eliminating them entirely. Libby Znaimer reached founder Brian Kateman in New Jersey.

The start of a new year used to see many making resolutions, in hopes the year ahead would be better over the one just passed. Another annual ritual we’re seeing more is that of predicting trends. Will you be one of the boomerang retirees returning to work in 2023? Freelance writer/columnist Radhika Panjwani says that’s one of the expected workplace trends to come out of a Microsoft survey of some 20-thousand workers in 11 countries. AND After a year in which the Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate seven times in an attempt to slow down inflation, many experts believe the central bank is set to take a breather in 2023. Gordon Pape is the editor and publisher of the Internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters, and also a regular contributor to EverythingZoomer.com and this show.