Podcasting?

What is Podcasting?

Think of it as “broadcasting” over the internet. You can listen to “shows” online or from your MP3 player (the most famous of course, is the iPod). What is nice about Podcasting is that you can subscribe to your favorite shows with a “podcatcher” which puts the show (the “feed) on computer automatically. You are then ready to download the show to your MP3 player if you desire. You do not have to go to each location to see if there is a new show…a catcher does this for you automatically.

Stay with us now…it can be confusing when you first hear about it – at least it was for me, however once you realize how easy and freeing it is, you will enjoy it!

Is this for OlderWiserWomen…absolutely! The statistics will surprise you. According to the Pew Report:
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22% of Americans 65 and older use the Internet. The percent of seniors who go online has jumped by 47% between 2000 and 2004. In a February 2004 survey, 22% of Americans age 65 or older reported having access to the Internet, up from 15% in 2000. By contrast, 58% of Americans age 50-64, 75% of 30-49 year-olds, and 77% of 18-29 year-olds currently go online.
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And about Podcasting, the Pew report says…

More than 22 million American adults own iPods or MP3 players and 29% of them have downloaded podcasts from the Web so that they could listen to audio files at a time of their choosing. That amounts to more than 6 million adults who have tried this new feature that allows internet “broadcasts” to be downloaded onto their portable listening device.
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So what’s the big deal? Isn’t this just for kids who want to listen to music? The answer is no. The big deal is that people all over the world are getting educated about topics that interest them online. You can certainly listen to music, hear your favorite sermon, take a class to learn something new about scrap booking, writing, or even space travel. Often times, though, we don’t want to sit at our computers to listen to these things. You can put these files on a portable device and carry them with you.

That is the power of podcatching….you listen on your terms. You take control.

Want to try it out? Check out the new OlderWiserWomenSpeak podcasts. If you want to listen on your computer, you can do so just by clicking on the arrow. Of course, if you want…you can download the file to your player.

Leave your comments and questions. If there is enough interests, we will schedule a (free) teleclass to discuss this further.

Happy Listening!


Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen.com

BBC NEWS | UK | 'Infomania' worse than marijuana

Information Overload? “Infomania”? Just what is that? Well, according to data released from a study conducted by Hewlett Packard and the Institute of Psychiatry, the technology we are exposed to is distracting us and may have a negative impact on our intelligence. No…they are not talk about TV.

So what do you think?

Barbara C. Phillips
www.OlderWiserWomen.com

When A Parent Becomes Ill

Friday night, I could not sleep. I woke about 2am and was restless until about 5am. I searched briefly for what was bothering me, and assumed it was just all I am working to accomplish with OlderWiserWomen, and getting the book proposal written before a conference I am attending the following week.

The next morning, I thought I should call Mom. She’s not in the best of health, but is doing okay, and I was going to be there in a week…after the conference. The phone range about 10am and the ID said it was her. Yet, I knew it was not…again, I said to myself…everything is fine.

But it wasn’t. It was Mom’s best friend. She has been staying with Mom but was out of town. The night before Mom was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and was on life support. My calls to the hospital confirmed all this and more.

It’s amazing what one can do when time is limited. I was able to get the ONE seat out of Seattle at the time that would work for me. They were able to change my ticket and upgrade it for same day departure without a huge fee and only a few frequent flyer miles. I’m 2 hours from the airport, and the hospital was another hour or so for her airport and still I was at her bedside in 11 hours.

In our family, the health of our Mother means a great deal. Our father died when I was 16. I’ve lost two sisters, both under the age of 40. Mom’s 2nd husband died about 18 months ago. Even her two dogs have passed on. Her remaining children are not about to let her go easily. Except…I’ve been entrusted with her health care directive and am her POA. I need to follow her wishes, even if my remaining siblings disagree.

This time though we are lucky. She was breathing on her own within 36 hours. She’s now home, and is requesting that she move back to WA and have assistance nearby.

It’s difficult seeing the woman who has always been the strong one, the one you have always looked up to, become frail and close to her last year or so of life. I see her having a hard time with the realization that she requires assistance, and needs to downsize her belongings to fit into a one bedroom apartment as she moves into a building with “old people” (as she describes them).

This is going to be a process. I’ll keep the dialog going as I learn from this. I’m sure some of you have experienced this, and welcome hearing from you with any words of wisdom you may wish to share.

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
www.OlderWiserWomen.com

OlderWiserWomen wants YOU!

OlderWiserWomen wants you to participate in a book to be written by and for women.

This book is about women telling their stories and helping to redefine aging into the positive experience it is. It’s about stopping the negative stereotypes and embracing the miracles that happen daily. It’s about learning, sharing and rejoicing.

What kind of stories is OlderWiserWomen looking for? We are looking for stories that are age positive. Stories to inspire each other, our families and society about the magic of growing older.

Here are some ideas to stimulate your thoughts:

• What is the best thing about your age?


• What is the most important thing you have learned?


• What do you wish you had learned at an earlier age?


• What has surprised you about being the age you currently are? In other words, what "unexpected" gift have you received?


• What is the funniest or most humorous thing about your life today?


• If you could do something over again, what is it?


• What advice would you give to your peers, your daughters and society?


• Growing older changes our bodies. Have you noticed anything that no one every told you about?


• Tell me about your blessings and the miracles you have witnessed and/or received.


• How long do you want to live, and what are you doing to insure you meet that goal?


• How is your aging different than that of your parents, at this same age?


• What challenges have you overcome?


• You can talk about your profession, retirement, partners, parents, children, menopause, sexuality, your body, finding yourself, perhaps learning to be alone or anything else that inspires you to share.

Not all women feel like they can write their story, but they have words they wish to share. I’d be honored to listen, interview and record the story.

All participants have the choice of having their words published with full credit given, or being published anonymously.

This book is geared toward inspiring women to celebrate the transition, the growth and the wisdom that occurs for us all as we age. Won’t you join in these voices?

Further information including writers guidelines and FAQ’s can be found at www.OlderWiserWomen.com/Book/Index.html.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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New!!! Weekly Tips for Successful Aging - send a blank email to Tips@OlderWiserWomen.com

You Might Be.....

We sometimes get way to serious in life. Here's an exercise to help us all lighten up.Can you complete this sentence?

You might be an OlderWiserWomen if......

Have fun with it, and please, share you creative ideas!