Black Parents Aging Podcast

Black Parents Aging Podcast

Black Parents Aging Podcast

Black Parents
Aging Podcast

watch the Latest Podcast Episodes

February 12, 2025
Estate planning isn’t just for the rich and famous - it’s something we all need to think about. We’ll talk about planning for incapacity, why the right representative matters more than tradition, and how to avoid the devastating consequences of financial elder abuse. Using real-life examples like Michael Jackson, John Amos, and Wendy Williams, we highlight the dangers of inadequate planning and why waiting too long can put everything at risk. We also take a look at the inspiring stories of Quincy Jones and Bob Saget - two legends who mastered the art of meticulous planning to ensure their families were taken care of. Quincy’s $500 million estate was structured to avoid conflicts, while Bob’s strategic trust setup protected his loved ones and supported the causes he cared about. Their stories prove that estate planning is about more than just money - it’s about peace of mind and securing your legacy. As we wrap up this season, we want to thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your support means everything, and we can’t wait to bring you even more impactful conversations in season five. Let’s keep the conversation going - what topics do you want us to cover next?
January 29, 2025
In this episode, Olivia Smith sits down with her family - spanning three generations - to share real and honest conversations about aging. Together with her parents, Janice and Charles, who are thriving in their 70s, and her siblings Shalon, Brian, and Veronica, they explore what it means to age with grace, purpose, and connection. From Janice’s passion for teaching and herbology to Charles’s peaceful yet active retirement, this discussion highlights the joys, challenges, and lessons that come with growing older. They talk about the impact of health, societal pressures, and the wisdom gained through life’s ups and downs. The family also opens up about the emotional side of aging—facing loss, shifting family roles, and having honest conversations about the end of life. This episode will leave you reflecting on your own journey and inspire you to approach aging with empathy, grace, and love. Tune in to hear more about: - The importance of embracing aging with passion and purpose. - How health and wisdom shape our personal and professional lives. - Insights on navigating emotional complexities like loss and shifting family dynamics. - The significance of open conversations about end-of-life wishes. - Practical tips for aging better and cherishing life’s simple pleasure
January 22, 2025
In this episode, Olivia Smith sits down with her family - spanning three generations - to share real and honest conversations about aging. Together with her parents, Janice and Charles, who are thriving in their 70s, and her siblings Shalon, Brian, and Veronica, they explore what it means to age with grace, purpose, and connection. From Janice’s passion for teaching and herbology to Charles’s peaceful yet active retirement, this discussion highlights the joys, challenges, and lessons that come with growing older. They talk about the impact of health, societal pressures, and the wisdom gained through life’s ups and downs. The family also opens up about the emotional side of aging—facing loss, shifting family roles, and having honest conversations about the end of life. This episode will leave you reflecting on your own journey and inspire you to approach aging with empathy, grace, and love. Tune in to hear more about: - The importance of embracing aging with passion and purpose. - How health and wisdom shape our personal and professional lives. - Insights on navigating emotional complexities like loss and shifting family dynamics. - The significance of open conversations about end-of-life wishes. - Practical tips for aging better and cherishing life’s simple pleasure
January 15, 2025
In this week’s episode, Olivia dives into an eye-opening conversation with special guest Neiasha Russell, a compassionate and experienced death doula. If you’ve ever wondered what a death doula does, or if you’ve struggled to have conversations about end-of-life planning with your loved ones, this episode is for you. Neiasha shares her heartfelt journey, how her mother’s passing inspired her to help others, and practical insights for navigating grief and legacy planning.  We know these conversations can feel overwhelming, but by the end of this episode, you’ll feel equipped to take the first steps toward approaching these topics with love, dignity, and confidence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What a death doula is and how they support families and individuals. Neiasha’s personal story of losing her mother and how it shaped her career. The misconceptions and fears around death, especially in the Black community. How Neiasha’s work intersects with estate planning and legacy building. Practical ways to start conversations about mortality and grief with loved ones. Resources Mentioned: Harriet’s Daughters: Learn more about Neiasha’s nonprofit organization supporting girls who’ve lost their mothers to cancer. International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) : Find training and resources on becoming a death doula (https://inelda.org) SR Law Group : Visit for more information on estate planning and related legal services. (https://srlawgrp.com) Connect with Us: Visit our website for additional show notes and resources: www.srlawgrp.com . Support the Show: If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who could benefit from the discussion. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
January 8, 2025
In this week’s episode, Olivia dives into an eye-opening conversation with special guest Neiasha Russell, a compassionate and experienced death doula. If you’ve ever wondered what a death doula does, or if you’ve struggled to have conversations about end-of-life planning with your loved ones, this episode is for you. Neiasha shares her heartfelt journey, how her mother’s passing inspired her to help others, and practical insights for navigating grief and legacy planning. We know these conversations can feel overwhelming, but by the end of this episode, you’ll feel equipped to take the first steps toward approaching these topics with love, dignity, and confidence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What a death doula is and how they support families and individuals. Neiasha’s personal story of losing her mother and how it shaped her career. The misconceptions and fears around death, especially in the Black community. How Neiasha’s work intersects with estate planning and legacy building. Practical ways to start conversations about mortality and grief with loved ones. Resources Mentioned: Harriet’s Daughters: Learn more about Neiasha’s nonprofit organization supporting girls who’ve lost their mothers to cancer. International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) : Find training and resources on becoming a death doula (https://inelda.org) SR Law Group : Visit for more information on estate planning and related legal services. (https://srlawgrp.com) Connect with Us: Visit our website for additional show notes and resources: www.srlawgrp.com . Support the Show: If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who could benefit from the discussion. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! 
December 18, 2024
Holiday reunions can be a mix of joy and stress, especially when guilt, shame, and family expectations come into play. In this episode, we dive into managing the emotional ups and downs that often surface during these gatherings. Licensed counselor Adriauna Clay-Potts shares practical tips to help you navigate family dynamics, prepare mentally, and maintain your peace. From positive self-talk to steering conversations in a healthier direction, we cover strategies to help you handle criticism or triggering situations with confidence and grace. We also explore how to support your parents without overstepping, using real-life examples to highlight the balance between respect and boundaries. Tune in for valuable insights to help you embrace the holiday season with empathy, understanding, and stronger family connections. Connect with Adriauna: http://www.firmlyrootedcounselingllc.com/ Connect with Nicola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-robinson-a992545 Connect with Olivia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-smith-5908ba19
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February 12, 2025
Estate planning isn’t just for the rich and famous - it’s something we all need to think about. We’ll talk about planning for incapacity, why the right representative matters more than tradition, and how to avoid the devastating consequences of financial elder abuse. Using real-life examples like Michael Jackson, John Amos, and Wendy Williams, we highlight the dangers of inadequate planning and why waiting too long can put everything at risk. We also take a look at the inspiring stories of Quincy Jones and Bob Saget - two legends who mastered the art of meticulous planning to ensure their families were taken care of. Quincy’s $500 million estate was structured to avoid conflicts, while Bob’s strategic trust setup protected his loved ones and supported the causes he cared about. Their stories prove that estate planning is about more than just money - it’s about peace of mind and securing your legacy. As we wrap up this season, we want to thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your support means everything, and we can’t wait to bring you even more impactful conversations in season five. Let’s keep the conversation going - what topics do you want us to cover next?
January 29, 2025
In this episode, Olivia Smith sits down with her family - spanning three generations - to share real and honest conversations about aging. Together with her parents, Janice and Charles, who are thriving in their 70s, and her siblings Shalon, Brian, and Veronica, they explore what it means to age with grace, purpose, and connection. From Janice’s passion for teaching and herbology to Charles’s peaceful yet active retirement, this discussion highlights the joys, challenges, and lessons that come with growing older. They talk about the impact of health, societal pressures, and the wisdom gained through life’s ups and downs. The family also opens up about the emotional side of aging—facing loss, shifting family roles, and having honest conversations about the end of life. This episode will leave you reflecting on your own journey and inspire you to approach aging with empathy, grace, and love. Tune in to hear more about: - The importance of embracing aging with passion and purpose. - How health and wisdom shape our personal and professional lives. - Insights on navigating emotional complexities like loss and shifting family dynamics. - The significance of open conversations about end-of-life wishes. - Practical tips for aging better and cherishing life’s simple pleasure
January 22, 2025
In this episode, Olivia Smith sits down with her family - spanning three generations - to share real and honest conversations about aging. Together with her parents, Janice and Charles, who are thriving in their 70s, and her siblings Shalon, Brian, and Veronica, they explore what it means to age with grace, purpose, and connection. From Janice’s passion for teaching and herbology to Charles’s peaceful yet active retirement, this discussion highlights the joys, challenges, and lessons that come with growing older. They talk about the impact of health, societal pressures, and the wisdom gained through life’s ups and downs. The family also opens up about the emotional side of aging—facing loss, shifting family roles, and having honest conversations about the end of life. This episode will leave you reflecting on your own journey and inspire you to approach aging with empathy, grace, and love. Tune in to hear more about: - The importance of embracing aging with passion and purpose. - How health and wisdom shape our personal and professional lives. - Insights on navigating emotional complexities like loss and shifting family dynamics. - The significance of open conversations about end-of-life wishes. - Practical tips for aging better and cherishing life’s simple pleasure
January 15, 2025
In this week’s episode, Olivia dives into an eye-opening conversation with special guest Neiasha Russell, a compassionate and experienced death doula. If you’ve ever wondered what a death doula does, or if you’ve struggled to have conversations about end-of-life planning with your loved ones, this episode is for you. Neiasha shares her heartfelt journey, how her mother’s passing inspired her to help others, and practical insights for navigating grief and legacy planning.  We know these conversations can feel overwhelming, but by the end of this episode, you’ll feel equipped to take the first steps toward approaching these topics with love, dignity, and confidence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What a death doula is and how they support families and individuals. Neiasha’s personal story of losing her mother and how it shaped her career. The misconceptions and fears around death, especially in the Black community. How Neiasha’s work intersects with estate planning and legacy building. Practical ways to start conversations about mortality and grief with loved ones. Resources Mentioned: Harriet’s Daughters: Learn more about Neiasha’s nonprofit organization supporting girls who’ve lost their mothers to cancer. International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) : Find training and resources on becoming a death doula (https://inelda.org) SR Law Group : Visit for more information on estate planning and related legal services. (https://srlawgrp.com) Connect with Us: Visit our website for additional show notes and resources: www.srlawgrp.com . Support the Show: If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who could benefit from the discussion. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
January 8, 2025
In this week’s episode, Olivia dives into an eye-opening conversation with special guest Neiasha Russell, a compassionate and experienced death doula. If you’ve ever wondered what a death doula does, or if you’ve struggled to have conversations about end-of-life planning with your loved ones, this episode is for you. Neiasha shares her heartfelt journey, how her mother’s passing inspired her to help others, and practical insights for navigating grief and legacy planning. We know these conversations can feel overwhelming, but by the end of this episode, you’ll feel equipped to take the first steps toward approaching these topics with love, dignity, and confidence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What a death doula is and how they support families and individuals. Neiasha’s personal story of losing her mother and how it shaped her career. The misconceptions and fears around death, especially in the Black community. How Neiasha’s work intersects with estate planning and legacy building. Practical ways to start conversations about mortality and grief with loved ones. Resources Mentioned: Harriet’s Daughters: Learn more about Neiasha’s nonprofit organization supporting girls who’ve lost their mothers to cancer. International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) : Find training and resources on becoming a death doula (https://inelda.org) SR Law Group : Visit for more information on estate planning and related legal services. (https://srlawgrp.com) Connect with Us: Visit our website for additional show notes and resources: www.srlawgrp.com . Support the Show: If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who could benefit from the discussion. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! 
December 18, 2024
Holiday reunions can be a mix of joy and stress, especially when guilt, shame, and family expectations come into play. In this episode, we dive into managing the emotional ups and downs that often surface during these gatherings. Licensed counselor Adriauna Clay-Potts shares practical tips to help you navigate family dynamics, prepare mentally, and maintain your peace. From positive self-talk to steering conversations in a healthier direction, we cover strategies to help you handle criticism or triggering situations with confidence and grace. We also explore how to support your parents without overstepping, using real-life examples to highlight the balance between respect and boundaries. Tune in for valuable insights to help you embrace the holiday season with empathy, understanding, and stronger family connections. Connect with Adriauna: http://www.firmlyrootedcounselingllc.com/ Connect with Nicola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-robinson-a992545 Connect with Olivia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-smith-5908ba19
December 11, 2024
Holiday reunions can be a mix of joy and stress, especially when guilt, shame, and family expectations come into play. In this episode, we dive into managing the emotional ups and downs that often surface during these gatherings. Licensed counselor Adriauna Clay-Potts shares practical tips to help you navigate family dynamics, prepare mentally, and maintain your peace. From positive self-talk to steering conversations in a healthier direction, we cover strategies to help you handle criticism or triggering situations with confidence and grace. We also explore how to support your parents without overstepping, using real-life examples to highlight the balance between respect and boundaries. Tune in for valuable insights to help you embrace the holiday season with empathy, understanding, and stronger family connections. Connect with Adriauna: http://www.firmlyrootedcounselingllc.com/ Connect with Nicola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-robinson-a992545 Connect with Olivia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-smith-5908ba19
December 4, 2024
Caregiving brings its own emotional rollercoaster, particularly when dementia is part of the journey. We share heartfelt stories that highlight the necessity of robust support systems and self-care practices that bolster mental and emotional well-being. We promise you that by tuning in, you'll uncover practical strategies for tackling the unique challenges faced by aging Black parents. From the importance of securing a reliable primary care physician to leveraging veteran assistance and insurance brokers, this episode is packed with insights drawn from personal experiences and community wisdom. Hear how proactive involvement and resourcefulness can be your best allies in ensuring the well-being of elderly loved ones, especially when the system seems stacked against you. Connect with Nicola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-robinson-a992545 Connect with Olivia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-smith-5908ba19
November 27, 2024
What if you suddenly found yourself balancing a demanding career, personal responsibilities, and the role of caregiver for aging parents? In this episode, we dive into this tender reality with Ciarra Joyner, a Title IX coordinator from North Carolina, and Maya Miller, a freelance photographer from Louisiana. Both women share their heartfelt journeys supporting parents with Alzheimer's and other health challenges, offering a raw and honest look into the sacrifices, emotional struggles, and logistical hurdles that come with caregiving.  Through their stories, we explore the dynamics of intergenerational care in Black families, touching on the cultural nuances, sibling relationships, and tough decisions like placing loved ones in care facilities. Ciarra and Maya reflect on balancing their parents’ autonomy with the need to step into decision-making roles, all while navigating generational perspectives and family expectations. Their insights and strategies provide inspiration, encouragement, and a roadmap for those walking the same path. Let’s continue the conversation on our Free Facebook group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3609569512434506 Connect with Nicola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-robinson-a992545 Connect with Olivia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-smith-5908ba19
November 20, 2024
Duane Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Insurance Group in Atlanta, joins us on this week’s episode to unlock the secrets of the insurance world. From his beginnings in the mortgage sector during the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis to his thriving insurance business, Duane brings a wealth of knowledge across various insurance areas, including auto, homeowners, and life insurance. His focus, however, is on assisting mature clients over 40, and he shares his passion for helping them navigate the complexities of Medicare. With a genuine commitment to aiding clients in making informed choices, Duane dives deep into the challenges faced by seniors, such as medication costs and dental benefits, illuminating how personalized guidance can make all the difference. Discover critical insights on Medicare Advantage plans and how recent changes could impact your healthcare decisions. We cover everything from reimbursement alterations leading to increased co-pays to the importance of reevaluating your coverage during the annual election period. Learn about the open enrollment period and how you can adjust your plans without penalties. With Duane’s expert advice, we provide strategies for managing healthcare needs, especially for those with chronic conditions. If you're seeking informed, thoughtful assistance, this episode is an invaluable resource for confidently navigating the insurance landscape. Connect with Duane: Phone number: 770-744-1855 Website: https://hamiltoninsuranceusa.com/ Let’s continue the conversation on our Free Facebook group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3609569512434506 Connect with Nicola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-robinson-a992545 Connect with Olivia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-smith-5908ba19
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