Students of Aging

What does it really mean to age in a digital world? In this live-recorded episode of Students of Aging, WoodGreen’s Ara Manrikyan sits down with members of the Seniors Advisory Council for a candid roundtable on aging and technology. Panelists Barb, Mary, Queenie, and Jesse share how digital tools are reshaping everything from how older adults connect with others to how they manage daily tasks and stay informed.With warmth and humo...

The holidays are often portrayed as a time of joy and celebration. But for many older adults, this season can also bring feelings of loneliness or quiet reflection. In this heartfelt episode of Students of Aging, hosts Queenie and Ron reflect on the experience of spending festive days alone and highlight the many ways older adults navigate the emotional complexities of the season.

Through a mix of personal stories and community call...

What makes a story powerful enough to bring people together? In this episode of Students of Aging, host Jesse Cohoon speaks with acclaimed storyteller Jeffrey Canton about the role of narrative in queer culture, activism, and community. A founding member of Queers in Your Ears, Jeffrey shares how his early experiences at the Toronto Public Library shaped his voice and sparked a lifelong passion for stories that honour identity, his...

In this episode of Students of Aging, Barb McCutcheon sits down with longtime friend and debut author Josie Brown to discuss her new book, Finding Zen in a Traffic Jam. A lifelong storyteller and ocean voyager, Josie reflects on her journey from pressing vinyl records in Scarborough to sailing the North Atlantic on her beloved Queen Mary 2. With warmth, wit, and unmistakable charm, she shares how her writing—anchored in memoir and ...

What was it like to come of age when love had to be hidden—and how does it feel to live openly today? In this powerful episode of Students of Aging, host Barb McCutcheon joins Ron Demers, Colleen Peacock, and Peter Marinelli—stars of the documentary When You Find the One—for a candid conversation about identity, resilience, and LGBTQ2S+ rights across generations.Together they reflect on the era of “separate bedrooms,” when same-sex...

In this episode of Students of Aging, host Jeff Young speaks with "Super Senior" Sandra Thompson about her remarkable life journey—from her childhood in a northern Ontario mining town to pursuing nursing and social work, and advocating passionately for women's financial and mental health.

Sandra shares her experiences overcoming societal expectations, returning to university at age 40, and the importance of self-advoca...

Who decides what it means to grow older? In this engaging continuation of their conversation, host Jesse Cohoon and award-winning journalist Moira Welsh explore fresh perspectives on aging, challenging conventional views and highlighting the creativity, resilience, and untapped potential of older adults. Moira discusses the hidden financial realities many older women face, exploring how caregiving, career interruptions, and systemi...

What does it mean to age with dignity, connection, and purpose? In this episode of Students of Aging, host Jesse Cohoon welcomes award-winning journalist and author Moira Welsh for a compelling conversation on reimagining long-term care and aging in place. Drawing from her extensive reporting, her book Happily Ever Older: Revolutionary Approaches to Long-Term Care, and her leadership of the Toronto Star's Third Act project, Moira e...

Grief is a deeply personal and complex experience, yet it is something we all encounter. In this episode of Students of Aging, Mary Roy speaks with Ron Demers as they reflect on their journeys with grief after losing loved ones. Ron shares the profound impact of losing his partner of 50 years during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Mary opens up about the loss of both her sister and daughter, touching on the unique cha...

Jania Zapotoski has spent her life embracing change, taking risks, and forging her own path. In this episode of Students of Aging, Jeff Young speaks with the 87-year-old social worker, solo traveler, and proud Ukrainian Canadian about the defining moments of her journey.

Growing up in a close-knit immigrant community in Quebec, Jania learned resilience from her family’s struggles and sacrifices. She shares how those lessons shaped h...

What does a lifetime of activism, advocacy, and community-building look like? In this episode of Students of Aging, Jeff Young speaks with Sheila Miller, a lifelong changemaker approaching her 94th birthday.

From founding Canada’s first toy lending library to shaping supportive housing initiatives like the Sheila Miller Building for women and children fleeing violence, Sheila has spent decades creating safer, more inclusive communit...

In this episode of Students of Aging, Jesse Cohoon sits down with Jeff Young, a retired high school teacher, artist, and member of WoodGreen’s Seniors Advisory Council, to explore Miksang photography. This contemplative practice encourages us to slow down, see the world with fresh eyes, and embrace creative expression as we age.

Jeff shares how his journey with Miksang has taken him from teaching drama to high school students to lea...

In this episode of Students of Aging, hosts Queenie and Maria delve into the rich and varied experiences of aging as immigrants in Canada. They share their own personal journeys, arriving from India and Hong Kong in the early 1970s, and discuss the unique challenges and triumphs faced by seniors who built their lives in a new country.

Queenie and Maria recount their initial culture shock, the financial struggles of starting anew, an...

In this heartwarming episode of Students of Aging, we explore the profound benefits of having animal companions in our lives. Join council members Barbara McCutcheon, Nadia Wilson, and Rachelle Desrosiers as they share personal stories and insights into the joy, comfort, and community that pets bring to seniors. From childhood memories of beloved dogs and cats to the community-building power of a feral cat colony, discover how anim...

In this episode of Students of Aging, we delve into the passionate world of film collecting and nostalgia with Mike Orlando, owner of Toronto’s iconic Hollywood Canteen. Mike shares the story of how his childhood hobby of collecting movie memorabilia transformed into a beloved bookstore and cultural landmark, attracting film enthusiasts and celebrities alike, including Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro. From amassing 18 tons of movie...

In this episode of Students of Aging, Mavis McKinnley sits down with her longtime friend Joanne to talk about the challenges and joys of traveling with a disability. With over 25 years of experience navigating the world as a visually and mobility-impaired traveler, Joanne shares invaluable tips on planning trips, working with airlines and cruise lines, and advocating for accessibility.
Mavis and Joanne swap stories—some funny, some ...

In this episode of Students of Aging, host Sandra Thompson is joined by Sheila Miller and Jania Zapotoski to explore Aging in Place—what it means, the challenges it presents, and practical strategies for overcoming barriers. From financial savings to innovative community-based models, the conversation covers real-life experiences and solutions for staying independent at home. Sheila shares personal stories of adapting her living sp...

In this episode of Students of Aging, we sit down with Nadia Wilson, an 82-year-old poet who recently published her first full poetry collection, A Life Well Traveled. Nadia shares insights into her journey as an immigrant, her love for language, and how poetry serves as a powerful medium for exploring themes of aging, loss, and resilience. She reads the title poem from her collection, reflecting on a life shaped by displacement, a...

In our debut episode of Students of Aging, we explore the Death Cafe movement with social worker, psychotherapist and author, Linda Hochstetler. Linda shares how Death Cafes create open, unscripted conversations about dying and death, helping people navigate difficult questions and break societal taboos. From its origins in England to its growth in Toronto, discover how these gatherings provide a safe space for reflection, learning...