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Author/Crow’s Feet contributor Conni Walkup shares her poignant essay about
cherishing — and losing — our lifelong relationships. Have you been meaning to call that old friend or family member? Conni reminds us to seize the day.
For more from Conni on Medium (under the byline Conni Walkup Hull), go here.

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In her 76 years, Jean Feldeisen’s done so many different things so well, it’s almost hard to imagine: philosophy student, social worker, virtuoso pianist, first-class cook and caterer, psychotherapist, writer, and now, poet. She’s also seen her share of triumph and tragedy, good times and bad. In her latest book of poetry, South Jersey Sand, Jean’s work spans generations, a vast range of emotions, and miles of Jersey shoreline, reflecting on family history, the poignancy of childhood memories, the beauty of the natural world, the profound (and sometimes, heart-breaking) relationships in her life, and much more. Join host Betsy Allen as she talks to Jean about making meaning from her rich life through her poetry. And if you’re feeling inspired by her work, Jean offers some advice on how you can get started “putting yourself out there” with poems of your own.

Show Notes

You can order Jean’s books here:

South Jersey Sand: A Memoir in Poetry

From Kelsay Books:

From Amazon:

From Amazon on Kindle:

Not All Are Weeping

From The Main Street Rag Online Bookstore

Catching Fireflies by Argy Nestor and Jean Feldeisen, a collaboration of art and poetry. Contact Jean at empowermepeople@gmail.com to order.

You can also learn more about Jean and read her writing here:

Visit Jean’s website: https://jeanfeldeisen.com/

On Medium: Jean Anne Feldeisen

On Substack: jeananne.substack.com

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Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with journalist Randall H. Duckett, author of Chronic Pain Chronicles: insightful and inspiring stories of resolve, resilience, and relief, a book that offers realistic hope and help to the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who endure long-lasting hurt — and who, far too often, also endure delays, obstacles, and stigma in getting their very real pain addressed.

Randall H. Duckett bio: Randall H. Duckett is a journalist who has created, written for, and edited scores of magazines and who has authored articles for, among others, National Geographic Traveler, USA Today, and AARP: The Magazine. In addition to Chronic Pain Chronicles, he is the author of Seven Cs: The Elements of Effective Writing; 41 How-To Tips for Creators.

Diagnosed at age 6 with a severe form of an inherited disease that causes his bones and joints to deform, leading to osteoarthritis throughout his body, Randall is also intimately familiar with chronic pain. He has undergone eight joint replacements, including both hips twice, both shoulders, and both knees, and has had both his ankles fused. He is never one to minimize the toll that long-lasting pain can take on the body and the psyche; yet he lives a productive and engaged life with his wife and family in the Philadelphia area.

Show notes:

Purchase Chronic Pain Chronicles on Amazon in any of these formats:

Paperback Edition

Hardback Edition

Kindle Edition

Resources (excerpted from "Sources of Solace" notes in Chronic Pain Chronicles):

U.S. Pain Foundation: uspainfoundation.org or painconnection.org

Chronic Pain Anonymous (CPA): chronicpainanonymous.org

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA): acpanow.com

See other resources listed in "Sources of Solace" in Chronic Pain Chronicles

Watch for host Jan M. Flynn's first-in-a-series fantasy novel for readers 8 and up, Griffin Speaker, releasing May 5, 2026 from Disney-Hyperion Books and available for preorder now.

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Is this another day of just not giving a you-know-what? Getting older can zap your zest for life, as dopamine — your "Whoo-Hoo!" brain chemical — diminishes over time. In this episode, health and fitness writer Linda Melone gives you ten ways to get your mojo back (most without breaking a sweat).

For more energizing ideas about fitness and life, check out Linda's column on Crow's Feet.

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The 6 Pak Band is a seven‑piece, high‑energy, all‑female rock and roll group bringing the best hits from the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond to life. Their mission is simple: keep the crowd dancing, singing, and smiling from the first note to the last.

Originally formed in 1967, the band reunited thirteen years ago, blending original members with a few new faces. They’ve been rocking Western Michigan ever since. With a loyal fan base known as “The Returnables,” along with a steady stream of new followers, The 6 Pak fills every show with nostalgia, fun, and infectious energy that keeps audiences coming back.

The band was voted #2 in the 2025 Best Bands in Grand Rapids by Grand Rapids Magazine. And this year, they reached a major milestone with a performance at Michigan’s Gun Lake Casino and continue expanding their reach to larger venues and bigger crowds. Their momentum even caught national attention when NBC’s America’s Got Talent discovered them on YouTube, where one of their videos surpassed 3 million views.

For booking and pricing information, contact Cindy at cindythe6pak@gmail.com.

Additional Information regarding the band can be found at the following web links:

The 6 Pak - All Girl Band - YouTube

Facebook

The 6 Pak Band

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Here's Eric V. Martin reminiscing about his not-so-good old days in Little League, yet with a fondness that's grown over the years. If you'd like to read along, click the link to Eric's story on Medium's Crows Feet channel.

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June Squibb has been performing for more than six decades—and shows no signs of slowing down. In this conversation with Melinda Blau, she reflects on late-life success, her approach to acting, and what still surprises her about aging. Squibb also talks about her 40-year marriage to her late husband and shares news of upcoming projects.

Producer/Host Melinda Blau

Website/blog

On Medium

On Amazon

Melinda Blau’s 16th book, “The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter”, is about women in their 90s and 100s – like June – who give us hope about aging.

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Mariann Aalda is an American actress, a performance artist, a stand-up comedian, and an age-full evangelist. You may know her from old ABC soap operas like Edge of Night or, from street theater in New York City, from shows like Designing Women or The Bay, or a host of commercials. Mariann is a 50 year member of the Actors’ Guild and has not only witnessed but been an important voice in the transformation of the acting industry for black actors. She has studied and practiced hypnosis and respects the power of your words to influence your life. Now she styles herself an Agefull Evangelist and an Anti-Aging Activist.

Mariann’s website: mariannaaldainherprime.com

Where do you know her from?
Check her IMDB page.

Links to her activities

Mariann on TEDx

Her Age Disruptor column at Crunchytales.com

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