Host Kristin Carlson welcomes Rachna Patel, founder and director of RAAC Academy and author of the memoir "Empowering Echoes," to share how surviving a childhood brain tumor shaped her life and teaching. Rachna describes severe, sporadic pain beginning around age seven, an MRI revealing a large right-side brain tumor, and a high-risk surgery in Atlanta with lasting impacts to vision and memory that required relearning basic skills. With intensive support from family and key mentors, she rebuilt confidence through art, games, and movement-based activities, later becoming an educator who personalizes learning around student interests. She explains RAAC’s growth to 37 project-based classes (K–12), including NASA-themed competitions, hands-on labs, and trivia-buzzer reviews, emphasizing inclusive, meaningful, alternative education for homeschool communities.

www.RAACAcademy.com

Host Kristin Carlson welcomes Colby Sherban, a mother, artist, and community space-holder, to share how her family left small-town Canada during an Alberta winter for a one-way move to Guadalajara, Mexico, seeking more culture, options, and connection to her husband’s Mexican roots. A planned six-month trial became a long-term life after pregnancy and COVID, later leading them to Puerto Vallarta with only a few local contacts. Colby describes ongoing settling, balancing working abroad, and finding community through homeschool meetups and hands-on activities. She explains their interest-led homeschool/unschool approach, managing outside judgments, and how creativity shows up beyond art. They discuss limited “me time,” late-night creating, learning to say no, and hosting an Art and Earth festival.

@mamacocreativa

Life is an education and an adventure from start to finish. We often spend much time dreaming up our early years and planning for how we want our life to unfold. But we don't often give the post retirement years nearly as much attention or thought as they deserve. How can we best honor those years of wrapping a bow on a life well lived? How can we support those that find themselves approaching that phase of life? And what are the practical and logistical preparations that one can take to leave a lasting legacy with their loved ones?

www.AgingSolutionsNW.com

The Voice of Aging Podcast

Join us as we discuss the inspiration and dedication of bringing to life the documentary film Magic Pills, directed and produced by Ananda More. In this film Ananda travels the world documenting the various uses and successes that homeopathic medicine has had in treating various diseases, even the most acute and life threatening ones. We discuss the environment from which the birthing of this film sprang up, the censorship that is ongoing and multidirectional around alternative health options and how important choice is. How can we secure sovereignty over our bodies and our choices?

Ananda More has over two decades as a homeopathic doctor, studying with some of the greatest teachers alive. She was also the owner of Riverdale Homeopathy, a homeopathic clinic based in Ontario Canada. Most recently she has created an online course to bring homeopathy and its basic understanding into homes worldwide, empowering parents to take charge in the health and wellbeing of their children.

MagicPillsMovie.com

In this dynamic conversation I have the opportunity to learn about the journey of one family outside of comfort zones and into the beautiful great unknown of living abroad with their children. We talk about the benefits of pushing boundaries, of getting uncomfortable and of finding community where you are. Laura-Lise shares her love of travel and the insight gained in the their own immigration to Puerto Vallarta, which is highlighted through the release of her vibrant book "Immersing in Mexico: A real life guide to moving, adapting and raising a family in Mexico." The question is, in the words of Mary Oliver, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Laura-Lise Wong is a mother, travel blogger, author, graphic artist, photographer and creative who shares the beauty she witnesses in the world with all around her. Follow their family's adventures on Instagram @the_wandering_wongs