November 4, 2025 • 25 mins
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Diane Rehm, the legendary 89-year-old NPR talk show host, discusses her passionate advocacy for medical aid in dying with BrainStorm host, Meryl Comer. Rehm’s view was shaped by her husband John's difficult death from Parkinson's disease and the experience transformed her into a fierce advocate for end-of-life autonomy. She's adamant that if diagnosed with serious illness or early signs of Alzheimer's, she would travel to Switzerland rather than undergo treatment or lose her cognitive capacity, declaring that legislators have "no right to control my decision as to when I die."
Despite confronting these weighty topics, Diane exemplifies what researchers call a "superager"—maintaining remarkable physical and cognitive health through decades of Pilates, a disciplined diet, active social engagement, and continued work. She also reflects on her storied broadcasting career, lamenting how modern media has become siloed and less committed to presenting multiple perspectives, while emphasizing her core philosophy that "a talk show should really be called a listening show"—valuing ordinary people's voices as much as those of distinguished leaders.
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Episode Transcript
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Diane Rehm (00:00):
I do not believe that heroic means to keep
someone alive for as long aspossible.
Why?
And I know I'll offend manypeople by saying this, but if I
am told tomorrow that I have aserious form of cancer, I will
(00:28):
not take any medication.
I will not take any infusions.
I will not have chemotherapy orradiation therapy.
I will go to Switzerland.
Meryl Comer (00:46):
This is Brainstorm and I'm Meryl Comer.
Our guest today is Diane Reim,National Public Radio's
influential host over a careerspanning more than five decades.
Her weekly show attractednearly 3 million loyal and
engaged listeners.
Welcome, Diane.
Thank you for joining us.
(01:06):
Oh thank you.
Diane, you were proud to sharethat you've turned 89.
But missing from your farewellspeech was the word retirement.
What's that about?
Diane Rehm (01:18):
It's about the fact that I don't ever intend to
retire.
And I've always felt that workwas part of being alive, no
matter what kind of work that isor was.
So I went from doing theDailies broadcast to doing
(01:45):
podcasts at a book club for WAMUNPR, and then when I left that,
I began on Substack.
So I am continuing on because Idon't like not working.
Meryl Comer (02:05):
Diane, does this new global communications world
of mobile streaming and podcastplatforms excite or dismay you?
Diane Rehm (02:14):
Well, there are all kinds of reasons to be excited
about it and because it offersthe opportunity for so many
people to be independentbroadcasters and to say what
(02:34):
they want to say.
Now, whether what they want tosay pleases everybody is yet
another question.
And I think there's a lotonline that people are concerned
about.
There's a lot of, shall we say,fake news that's online, and
(03:01):
there's a lot that's disturbingonline.
So with all the pluses, ofcourse, there are bound to be
minuses as there are in justabout every other area of
broadcast.
The one thing that's really,really different online is that
(03:26):
in some cases nobody is editinganything, and they're putting
out material that could befrightening, that could be
dangerous, that could beabsolutely false, absolutely
untrustworthy, and therefore alot of negatives that go with
(03:48):
the pluses.
Meryl Comer (03:49):
Reflecting on your decades in public radio, Diane,
has the landscape of politicaland cultural discourse changed
for the better or worse?
Diane Rehm (03:59):
We're now broadcasting and listening and
watching in silos.
We go to those places where webelieve the truth, our truth, is
being reflected.
And that is indeed the problemthat we are not hearing all
(04:25):
sides.
On my radio program, producersknew that every single day there
had to be at least two sidesrepresented on every issue.
And there are always more thantwo sides.
But in today's siloedbroadcasting, news reporting,
(04:52):
newspaper reporting, televisionreporting, we tend to go to the
silo that agrees with ourperspective rather than seeking
out and seeking to understandall of the different
perspectives that are out therethat make up the national
(05:16):
dialogue.
The national dialogue is somuch more complex and diverse
than any one newspaper, any onedialogue, any one broadcast can
bring us today because we are inthese paths that we follow that
(05:40):
reflect our own perspectives.
And it's too bad.
Meryl Comer (05:44):
What is fascinating to me in all the years you've
been on the air is that you'vealways made it a point to tell
your audience that their voicewas as important as the voice of
the distinguished leaders whomyou interviewed.
Tell us why.
Diane Rehm (05:59):
You know, Merrill, I have always said that a talk
show should really be called alistening show.
Because I want and wanted to domore listening than talking.
And I believe that theaudience, the wonderful,
(06:24):
extraordinary audience I had allover the world.
And they called in so I couldhear their voices.
It wasn't as though I was justreading emails.
I was hearing their voices.
And in their voices I couldhear the joy, the anger, the
(06:50):
anxiety, the guilt, the concern.
I mean, that's what comesthrough in the voice.
And I do believe that peoplewho rise to high positions tend
to forget the importance of thesingle voice, the importance of
(07:16):
the people in this world whomaybe are doing quite well,
others not so well, others trulysuffering, but they all have a
story, and they all haveimportance.
We all are human beings sharingone planet.
(07:40):
And if we do not respect eachother's voices, it's gonna end.
I mean, there's no two waysabout it.
Somebody is going to pull theultimate trigger if we do not
get off this they and us.
(08:03):
And we are in that place rightnow.
Meryl Comer (08:08):
Diane, you've authored five books touching on
personal and societal themes.
Your memoirs reveal personalstruggles with both depression
and spasmodic dysphonia.
Why are you willing to be sopublic with your pain?
Diane Rehm (08:23):
Because everybody has pain.
Every single person I've evermet.
No one is completely withoutpain of some kind.
The spasmodic dysphonia whichhit me shortly after my program
(08:46):
went to a national audience froma local one.
Who knows why it happened?
But I had to do some delvinginto myself to understand all
the possible reasons why I wasdealing with such a problem.
(09:07):
But everybody has a marriage,for example, that has some
problems.
No marriage is absolutelyperfect.
And that is why I wanted towrite about marriage with my
husband, my late husband, JohnRain, which I did, and we toured
(09:33):
the country talking to couples,to families.
It was an extraordinaryexperience, Meryl, to be open
enough that we could show thatopenness opened their hearts and
(09:54):
their minds as well.
So I think my life is not sounusual, but it was important
for me.
I was in therapy for about 30years.
And talking about things ofimportance in my life, I felt
(10:18):
sharing what I learned could beof help to others.
Meryl Comer (10:23):
Diane, your memoir on my own reveals that very
personal and painful detail ofyour husband's choice after
years with Parkinson's diseaseto end his life by starvation.
How did his decision reshapeyour own views about dignity at
the end of life?
Diane Rehm (10:41):
You know, Merrill, even before John Rain got sick,
before we knew he hadParkinson's, he and I had talked
a lot about what we wanted atthe end of our lives.
I watched my mother as a youngten year old starting to get
(11:05):
sick in and out of hospitals.
Nobody would talk about it.
My father wouldn't talk aboutit, my aunts wouldn't talk about
it, my uncles wouldn't talkabout it, and by no means would
my mother talk about what wascoming.
(11:26):
And when she died when I was19, and my father died 11 months
later of a heart attack becausehe had a broken heart.
So when John Reim and I reachedan age where people began to
(11:46):
die, and one in particular ofALS, I said to John Reim, I'm
not gonna let that happen to me.
When the time comes, I'm goingto find a way to go.
And he said, I feel exactly asyou do.
(12:08):
We will help each other.
And that's what he thought hewas going to get from his doctor
in the nursing home away out.
He had less than six months tolive.
And DC, we were in Maryland atthe time.
(12:28):
Even DC did not have medicalaid in dying at the time, nor
does Maryland.
So John said I'm going tostarve myself.
And the doctor said, I hope youwon't do that, but I respect
(12:48):
your decision.
And John said, Well I'd be inpain.
And the doctor said, No, Ipromise you won't be in pain.
It took ten days for John Reedto die.
I have been fighting forsupporting and testifying for
(13:12):
medical aid in dying ever sinceI participated by narrating and
interviewing in a film calledWhen My Time Comes that was
distributed on PBS to talk aboutthe various perspectives on
(13:36):
medical aid in dying.
Those who were for it and why,and those who were against it
and why.
When we started the film, therewere only three states that had
medical aid in dying.
When we finished it in 2020,there were ten plus DC and now
(14:03):
there are eleven plus DC.
And we are waiting, waitingbecause the New York State
legislature in May passedmedical aid in dying, and
Governor Kathy Oakel has yet tosign that, even though the
(14:25):
legislature passed it.
Meryl Comer (14:27):
Diane, what do you say to families navigating these
difficult decisions andunderstanding there's a window
of time when that decision mustbe made if it will be honored?
Diane Rehm (14:38):
I had said to both my children and my grandchildren
that should I begin to showsigns of Alzheimer's, because I
know that no law in the districtor in any part of this country
(14:59):
would allow medical aid in dyingfor Alzheimer's.
I am going to Switzerland.
Europe has become far moreadvanced, as has Canada.
So you've got Switzerland,you've got Germany, you've got
Belgium, you have theNetherlands, Finland.
(15:20):
I mean, you've got places togo.
You have to make your owndecision.
I do not want to live withAlzheimer's or Parkinson's or
ALS.
I do not want to live my lifeif I cannot live my life in my
(15:45):
full capacity.
I'm eighty nine.
I've had a great life, and Ihave no desire to be cared for.
I've said to my husband JohnHagadon that if I have a stroke
(16:05):
or a heart attack, I'd prefer henot call nine one and just let
me go because I do not care tolive a limited life when I have
had such a full one.
That may sound selfish, it maysound as though I'm preaching to
(16:30):
everyone, but I'm not.
I'm only saying to legislatorsaround the country.
You have no right to control mydecision as to when I die.
And that is my message to everylegislator throughout the
(16:53):
country because people arebegging for the right to die.
The right to make their owndecision when their time comes.
Meryl Comer (17:05):
Given that most assisted dying laws in the U.S.
require mental capacity andself-administration of
medication, many dementiapatients lose that decisional
ability as the diseaseprogresses.
Diane Rehm (17:19):
That last phrase, Meryl, is key as the disease
progresses.
At my age, as you have seen,sometimes I forget names.
Sometimes I forget where I putmy cell phone.
I'm constantly looking for mycell phone, but my life is still
(17:44):
all together.
For the most part, I livealone, I drive, I shop, I cook,
I can do everything I want.
If that begins to diminish andI realize that I'm losing it, I
will go.
But that's the key.
(18:06):
So many people want to denythat they are experiencing
these, can we call them thelapses?
I mean, when the lapses begin,when you've driven out the door
and then you forget where you'regoing, when you take the dog
(18:28):
for a walk and you lose yourway, when you've walked that way
a million times, then it's timeto be worried.
Meryl Comer (18:38):
Diane, how do you reconcile diverse cultural and
religious views that see refusalof care like stopping feeding
as morally unacceptable withrespect to individual autonomy
and end-of-life decisions?
Diane Rehm (18:53):
You know, I believe each and every one of us is
entitled to make that choice.
I am making the decision when Ihave a choice to live or die.
And I've made the decision todie.
Meryl Comer (19:13):
Diane, this is a very complicated and very
personal discussion.
And one of the issues thatcomes up when you look at
complications toward the end oflife are decisions about heroic
versus comfort care.
Diane Rehm (19:27):
I do not believe that heroic means to keep
someone alive for as long aspossible.
Why?
And I know I'll offend manypeople by saying this, but if I
am told tomorrow that I have aserious form of cancer, I will
(19:53):
not take any medication, I willnot take any infusions, I will
not have chemotherapy orradiation therapy, I will go to
Switzerland.
Meryl Comer (20:09):
Diane, let's switch gears for a moment because
you've shared that you are 89.
Now, by all criteria, you arein fact what researchers call a
superager.
Someone over 80 who hasmaintained a level of cognitive
performance comparable to thosein their 50s and 60s.
So if I call you a superager,Diane, are you flattered or are
(20:33):
you insulted?
Diane Rehm (20:34):
I don't know what to be.
I just know that age is anumber.
I can do everything that I havealways done.
I still pick up my 13-pound dogunder one arm to take her out
(20:57):
for a walk.
I have done Pilates for atleast 20 years.
I continue to do Pilates.
My adorable Pilates instructorsays I am her star pupil.
Meryl Comer (21:15):
So, Diane, many superagers exercise 20 to 40
minutes several times a week.
So for you, we're going tocheck that box, all right?
Diane Rehm (21:23):
I think you also have to check off diet.
Lots of people think I'm nuts.
But what I have for breakfastare two hard-boiled eggs and a
medium-sized bowl mixed withblueberries, raspberries,
(21:46):
strawberries, and topped withpecans and water.
I drink no coffee, I drink notea.
I do not eat lunch.
Ever?
Ever.
It makes me sleepy in theafternoon.
Meryl Comer (22:03):
So how about dinner?
Diane Rehm (22:05):
Oh yeah, I eat beef, lamb, chicken, fish.
Then I always have at least onevegetable and a salad or two
veggies and sweet potatoes.
And I do have two ounces ofvodka on the rocks every night.
Meryl Comer (22:29):
All right, Diane, we're gonna check that box and
we'll give you an allowance foralcohol.
How about good sleep?
How's your sleep these days?
Diane Rehm (22:37):
My sleep is wonderful.
Meryl Comer (22:40):
And superagers often report lower levels of
depression and anxiety and saythat mental well-being
contributes to their success inaging.
May we check that box?
Diane Rehm (22:51):
You certainly can check that box.
I live in a wonderful condo inNorthwest Washington.
I love my neighbors.
It's a big building with 240units.
Walking Bella every day, I seeeverybody.
(23:13):
We have grand social events,big ones, small ones.
I'm talking on the phone withfriends daily.
You know, it's a good life,Merrill.
Meryl Comer (23:27):
So listening to you, Diane, you're hanging out
with a bunch of othersuperagers, right?
Diane Rehm (23:32):
Yeah, exactly.
But they're mostly younger thanI.
Mostly younger than I.
They're all doing things thatif I were 20 years younger, I'd
be doing too.
But I feel as though I've gotenough on my plate.
(23:53):
My husband has been married foreight years.
He lives half a year in Floridaand half the year here.
So he goes back and forthmonthly.
We have a good life together,we have a lovely social life, we
enjoy movies, we enjoy books,we enjoy dinners together.
(24:19):
So I have no complaints exceptI wish I could see my children
and grandchildren more than Ido.
That's my only complaint.
Meryl Comer (24:32):
I'm sure that's a complaint shared by most
grandparents.
Diane Rehm (24:36):
Exactly.
Meryl Comer (24:37):
Diane, so now that you've passed the test, are you
willing to wear the crown of asuperager?
Diane Rehm (24:44):
Tell me what the crown looks like.
You see, my hair is fluffy.
Meryl Comer (24:49):
Please, Diane, just say yes and thank you.
Diane Rehm (24:53):
Okay, yes and thank you.
Meryl Comer (24:56):
Our guest, Diane Reem, the treasured talk show
host of National Public Radio,for more than five decades.
Recipient of many awards, shereceived the National Humanities
Medal in recognition of herwork for her role in civic
discourse.
That's it for this edition.
I'm Errol Comer.
(25:17):
Thank you for brainstormingwith us.
Closing (25:20):
Subscribe to Brainstorm through your favorite podcast
platform and join us for newepisodes on the first and third
Tuesday of every month.
I do not believe that heroic means to keep
someone alive for as long aspossible.
Why?
And I know I'll offend manypeople by saying this, but if I
am told tomorrow that I have aserious form of cancer, I will
(00:28):
not take any medication.
I will not take any infusions.
I will not have chemotherapy orradiation therapy.
I will go to Switzerland.
Meryl Comer (00:46):
This is Brainstorm and I'm Meryl Comer.
Our guest today is Diane Reim,National Public Radio's
influential host over a careerspanning more than five decades.
Her weekly show attractednearly 3 million loyal and
engaged listeners.
Welcome, Diane.
Thank you for joining us.
(01:06):
Oh thank you.
Diane, you were proud to sharethat you've turned 89.
But missing from your farewellspeech was the word retirement.
What's that about?
Diane Rehm (01:18):
It's about the fact that I don't ever intend to
retire.
And I've always felt that workwas part of being alive, no
matter what kind of work that isor was.
So I went from doing theDailies broadcast to doing
(01:45):
podcasts at a book club for WAMUNPR, and then when I left that,
I began on Substack.
So I am continuing on because Idon't like not working.
Meryl Comer (02:05):
Diane, does this new global communications world
of mobile streaming and podcastplatforms excite or dismay you?
Diane Rehm (02:14):
Well, there are all kinds of reasons to be excited
about it and because it offersthe opportunity for so many
people to be independentbroadcasters and to say what
(02:34):
they want to say.
Now, whether what they want tosay pleases everybody is yet
another question.
And I think there's a lotonline that people are concerned
about.
There's a lot of, shall we say,fake news that's online, and
(03:01):
there's a lot that's disturbingonline.
So with all the pluses, ofcourse, there are bound to be
minuses as there are in justabout every other area of
broadcast.
The one thing that's really,really different online is that
(03:26):
in some cases nobody is editinganything, and they're putting
out material that could befrightening, that could be
dangerous, that could beabsolutely false, absolutely
untrustworthy, and therefore alot of negatives that go with
(03:48):
the pluses.
Meryl Comer (03:49):
Reflecting on your decades in public radio, Diane,
has the landscape of politicaland cultural discourse changed
for the better or worse?
Diane Rehm (03:59):
We're now broadcasting and listening and
watching in silos.
We go to those places where webelieve the truth, our truth, is
being reflected.
And that is indeed the problemthat we are not hearing all
(04:25):
sides.
On my radio program, producersknew that every single day there
had to be at least two sidesrepresented on every issue.
And there are always more thantwo sides.
But in today's siloedbroadcasting, news reporting,
(04:52):
newspaper reporting, televisionreporting, we tend to go to the
silo that agrees with ourperspective rather than seeking
out and seeking to understandall of the different
perspectives that are out therethat make up the national
(05:16):
dialogue.
The national dialogue is somuch more complex and diverse
than any one newspaper, any onedialogue, any one broadcast can
bring us today because we are inthese paths that we follow that
(05:40):
reflect our own perspectives.
And it's too bad.
Meryl Comer (05:44):
What is fascinating to me in all the years you've
been on the air is that you'vealways made it a point to tell
your audience that their voicewas as important as the voice of
the distinguished leaders whomyou interviewed.
Tell us why.
Diane Rehm (05:59):
You know, Merrill, I have always said that a talk
show should really be called alistening show.
Because I want and wanted to domore listening than talking.
And I believe that theaudience, the wonderful,
(06:24):
extraordinary audience I had allover the world.
And they called in so I couldhear their voices.
It wasn't as though I was justreading emails.
I was hearing their voices.
And in their voices I couldhear the joy, the anger, the
(06:50):
anxiety, the guilt, the concern.
I mean, that's what comesthrough in the voice.
And I do believe that peoplewho rise to high positions tend
to forget the importance of thesingle voice, the importance of
(07:16):
the people in this world whomaybe are doing quite well,
others not so well, others trulysuffering, but they all have a
story, and they all haveimportance.
We all are human beings sharingone planet.
(07:40):
And if we do not respect eachother's voices, it's gonna end.
I mean, there's no two waysabout it.
Somebody is going to pull theultimate trigger if we do not
get off this they and us.
(08:03):
And we are in that place rightnow.
Meryl Comer (08:08):
Diane, you've authored five books touching on
personal and societal themes.
Your memoirs reveal personalstruggles with both depression
and spasmodic dysphonia.
Why are you willing to be sopublic with your pain?
Diane Rehm (08:23):
Because everybody has pain.
Every single person I've evermet.
No one is completely withoutpain of some kind.
The spasmodic dysphonia whichhit me shortly after my program
(08:46):
went to a national audience froma local one.
Who knows why it happened?
But I had to do some delvinginto myself to understand all
the possible reasons why I wasdealing with such a problem.
(09:07):
But everybody has a marriage,for example, that has some
problems.
No marriage is absolutelyperfect.
And that is why I wanted towrite about marriage with my
husband, my late husband, JohnRain, which I did, and we toured
(09:33):
the country talking to couples,to families.
It was an extraordinaryexperience, Meryl, to be open
enough that we could show thatopenness opened their hearts and
(09:54):
their minds as well.
So I think my life is not sounusual, but it was important
for me.
I was in therapy for about 30years.
And talking about things ofimportance in my life, I felt
(10:18):
sharing what I learned could beof help to others.
Meryl Comer (10:23):
Diane, your memoir on my own reveals that very
personal and painful detail ofyour husband's choice after
years with Parkinson's diseaseto end his life by starvation.
How did his decision reshapeyour own views about dignity at
the end of life?
Diane Rehm (10:41):
You know, Merrill, even before John Rain got sick,
before we knew he hadParkinson's, he and I had talked
a lot about what we wanted atthe end of our lives.
I watched my mother as a youngten year old starting to get
(11:05):
sick in and out of hospitals.
Nobody would talk about it.
My father wouldn't talk aboutit, my aunts wouldn't talk about
it, my uncles wouldn't talkabout it, and by no means would
my mother talk about what wascoming.
(11:26):
And when she died when I was19, and my father died 11 months
later of a heart attack becausehe had a broken heart.
So when John Reim and I reachedan age where people began to
(11:46):
die, and one in particular ofALS, I said to John Reim, I'm
not gonna let that happen to me.
When the time comes, I'm goingto find a way to go.
And he said, I feel exactly asyou do.
(12:08):
We will help each other.
And that's what he thought hewas going to get from his doctor
in the nursing home away out.
He had less than six months tolive.
And DC, we were in Maryland atthe time.
(12:28):
Even DC did not have medicalaid in dying at the time, nor
does Maryland.
So John said I'm going tostarve myself.
And the doctor said, I hope youwon't do that, but I respect
(12:48):
your decision.
And John said, Well I'd be inpain.
And the doctor said, No, Ipromise you won't be in pain.
It took ten days for John Reedto die.
I have been fighting forsupporting and testifying for
(13:12):
medical aid in dying ever sinceI participated by narrating and
interviewing in a film calledWhen My Time Comes that was
distributed on PBS to talk aboutthe various perspectives on
(13:36):
medical aid in dying.
Those who were for it and why,and those who were against it
and why.
When we started the film, therewere only three states that had
medical aid in dying.
When we finished it in 2020,there were ten plus DC and now
(14:03):
there are eleven plus DC.
And we are waiting, waitingbecause the New York State
legislature in May passedmedical aid in dying, and
Governor Kathy Oakel has yet tosign that, even though the
(14:25):
legislature passed it.
Meryl Comer (14:27):
Diane, what do you say to families navigating these
difficult decisions andunderstanding there's a window
of time when that decision mustbe made if it will be honored?
Diane Rehm (14:38):
I had said to both my children and my grandchildren
that should I begin to showsigns of Alzheimer's, because I
know that no law in the districtor in any part of this country
(14:59):
would allow medical aid in dyingfor Alzheimer's.
I am going to Switzerland.
Europe has become far moreadvanced, as has Canada.
So you've got Switzerland,you've got Germany, you've got
Belgium, you have theNetherlands, Finland.
(15:20):
I mean, you've got places togo.
You have to make your owndecision.
I do not want to live withAlzheimer's or Parkinson's or
ALS.
I do not want to live my lifeif I cannot live my life in my
(15:45):
full capacity.
I'm eighty nine.
I've had a great life, and Ihave no desire to be cared for.
I've said to my husband JohnHagadon that if I have a stroke
(16:05):
or a heart attack, I'd prefer henot call nine one and just let
me go because I do not care tolive a limited life when I have
had such a full one.
That may sound selfish, it maysound as though I'm preaching to
(16:30):
everyone, but I'm not.
I'm only saying to legislatorsaround the country.
You have no right to control mydecision as to when I die.
And that is my message to everylegislator throughout the
(16:53):
country because people arebegging for the right to die.
The right to make their owndecision when their time comes.
Meryl Comer (17:05):
Given that most assisted dying laws in the U.S.
require mental capacity andself-administration of
medication, many dementiapatients lose that decisional
ability as the diseaseprogresses.
Diane Rehm (17:19):
That last phrase, Meryl, is key as the disease
progresses.
At my age, as you have seen,sometimes I forget names.
Sometimes I forget where I putmy cell phone.
I'm constantly looking for mycell phone, but my life is still
(17:44):
all together.
For the most part, I livealone, I drive, I shop, I cook,
I can do everything I want.
If that begins to diminish andI realize that I'm losing it, I
will go.
But that's the key.
(18:06):
So many people want to denythat they are experiencing
these, can we call them thelapses?
I mean, when the lapses begin,when you've driven out the door
and then you forget where you'regoing, when you take the dog
(18:28):
for a walk and you lose yourway, when you've walked that way
a million times, then it's timeto be worried.
Meryl Comer (18:38):
Diane, how do you reconcile diverse cultural and
religious views that see refusalof care like stopping feeding
as morally unacceptable withrespect to individual autonomy
and end-of-life decisions?
Diane Rehm (18:53):
You know, I believe each and every one of us is
entitled to make that choice.
I am making the decision when Ihave a choice to live or die.
And I've made the decision todie.
Meryl Comer (19:13):
Diane, this is a very complicated and very
personal discussion.
And one of the issues thatcomes up when you look at
complications toward the end oflife are decisions about heroic
versus comfort care.
Diane Rehm (19:27):
I do not believe that heroic means to keep
someone alive for as long aspossible.
Why?
And I know I'll offend manypeople by saying this, but if I
am told tomorrow that I have aserious form of cancer, I will
(19:53):
not take any medication, I willnot take any infusions, I will
not have chemotherapy orradiation therapy, I will go to
Switzerland.
Meryl Comer (20:09):
Diane, let's switch gears for a moment because
you've shared that you are 89.
Now, by all criteria, you arein fact what researchers call a
superager.
Someone over 80 who hasmaintained a level of cognitive
performance comparable to thosein their 50s and 60s.
So if I call you a superager,Diane, are you flattered or are
(20:33):
you insulted?
Diane Rehm (20:34):
I don't know what to be.
I just know that age is anumber.
I can do everything that I havealways done.
I still pick up my 13-pound dogunder one arm to take her out
(20:57):
for a walk.
I have done Pilates for atleast 20 years.
I continue to do Pilates.
My adorable Pilates instructorsays I am her star pupil.
Meryl Comer (21:15):
So, Diane, many superagers exercise 20 to 40
minutes several times a week.
So for you, we're going tocheck that box, all right?
Diane Rehm (21:23):
I think you also have to check off diet.
Lots of people think I'm nuts.
But what I have for breakfastare two hard-boiled eggs and a
medium-sized bowl mixed withblueberries, raspberries,
(21:46):
strawberries, and topped withpecans and water.
I drink no coffee, I drink notea.
I do not eat lunch.
Ever?
Ever.
It makes me sleepy in theafternoon.
Meryl Comer (22:03):
So how about dinner?
Diane Rehm (22:05):
Oh yeah, I eat beef, lamb, chicken, fish.
Then I always have at least onevegetable and a salad or two
veggies and sweet potatoes.
And I do have two ounces ofvodka on the rocks every night.
Meryl Comer (22:29):
All right, Diane, we're gonna check that box and
we'll give you an allowance foralcohol.
How about good sleep?
How's your sleep these days?
Diane Rehm (22:37):
My sleep is wonderful.
Meryl Comer (22:40):
And superagers often report lower levels of
depression and anxiety and saythat mental well-being
contributes to their success inaging.
May we check that box?
Diane Rehm (22:51):
You certainly can check that box.
I live in a wonderful condo inNorthwest Washington.
I love my neighbors.
It's a big building with 240units.
Walking Bella every day, I seeeverybody.
(23:13):
We have grand social events,big ones, small ones.
I'm talking on the phone withfriends daily.
You know, it's a good life,Merrill.
Meryl Comer (23:27):
So listening to you, Diane, you're hanging out
with a bunch of othersuperagers, right?
Diane Rehm (23:32):
Yeah, exactly.
But they're mostly younger thanI.
Mostly younger than I.
They're all doing things thatif I were 20 years younger, I'd
be doing too.
But I feel as though I've gotenough on my plate.
(23:53):
My husband has been married foreight years.
He lives half a year in Floridaand half the year here.
So he goes back and forthmonthly.
We have a good life together,we have a lovely social life, we
enjoy movies, we enjoy books,we enjoy dinners together.
(24:19):
So I have no complaints exceptI wish I could see my children
and grandchildren more than Ido.
That's my only complaint.
Meryl Comer (24:32):
I'm sure that's a complaint shared by most
grandparents.
Diane Rehm (24:36):
Exactly.
Meryl Comer (24:37):
Diane, so now that you've passed the test, are you
willing to wear the crown of asuperager?
Diane Rehm (24:44):
Tell me what the crown looks like.
You see, my hair is fluffy.
Meryl Comer (24:49):
Please, Diane, just say yes and thank you.
Diane Rehm (24:53):
Okay, yes and thank you.
Meryl Comer (24:56):
Our guest, Diane Reem, the treasured talk show
host of National Public Radio,for more than five decades.
Recipient of many awards, shereceived the National Humanities
Medal in recognition of herwork for her role in civic
discourse.
That's it for this edition.
I'm Errol Comer.
(25:17):
Thank you for brainstormingwith us.
Closing (25:20):
Subscribe to Brainstorm through your favorite podcast
platform and join us for newepisodes on the first and third
Tuesday of every month.
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