After three decades of work in global public health, Cindy Waszak Geary (Hillside Class of ’73) turned to creative non-fiction writing, weaving together personal experience with social and cultural histories. Her first book, Going to School in Black and White, co-authored with LaHoma Smith Romocki, describes how they as two teenage girls—one black, one white—each were altered by a court-ordered desegregation plan for Durham, NC in 1970. She recently published a second book, also a memoir, Ancestral Landscapes. A graduate of UNC-CH, she has continued to live in Chapel Hill most of her adult life, and now also spends part of her time in the mountains of western NC, where she has deep ancestral roots. She is the mother of Emily and Max and the grandmother of Daisy.
LaHoma Romocki has held senior leadership global health positions with extensive field experience in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Romocki has an undergraduate degree from Duke University, both masters and PHD from UNC-CH. She is a Professor and former Chair of the Department of Public Health Education at NCCU. Romocki is working to build the capacity of the next generation of the public health workforce and health care administrators. She has led study abroad programs and advises students interested in pursuing careers in the health. She is a resident of Granville County and is active in many organizations throughout the community.
Where should you live as you age? In this episode, Judy and Jess explore three very different senior living options — from the massive, high-energy world of The Villages in Florida, to the upscale, medically supported lifestyle at The Cedars, to the social, flexible 55+ rental community at Overture.
You’ll meet residents (including a 100-year-old Cedars member), hear honest stories about affordability, lifestyle, health needs, and community, and get an inside look at how people choose where to live as their lives and bodies change. With humor, heart, and real on-the-ground conversations, this episode helps you imagine what aging well might look like for you or someone you love.
Not Ready for the Farm is proudly presented by: The 79°West Innovation Hub, Clarity Legal Group, West Fork Wealth Management, Health Source Chiropractic, Purple Puddle, and HOPE Renovations.
When is “I’m fine” no longer fine for an aging parent or loved one? Judy and Jess sit down with aging life care manager Jennifer Szakaly to talk frankly about when to step in, when to move, and what it really costs- emotionally and financially. They dig into caregiving crossroads, aging in place vs. assisted living, solo agers, Medicaid realities, family conflict, and downsizing a lifetime of “stuff.” If you’re caring for parents, aging solo, or finally asking “What’s my plan?,” this episode will nudge you out of denial and into action.
Not Ready for the Farm is proudly presented by: The 79°West Innovation Hub, Clarity Legal Group, West Fork Wealth Management, Health Source Chiropractic, Purple Puddle, and HOPE Renovations.
Brad Bannon is a national political strategist and the host of the progressive podcast “Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon” that features the very best in aggressive progressive, must-see online TV. Guests on the show are prominent people and players from the worlds of politics and policy. Bannon is also the author of “The Bannon Ballot Blast “on his Substack page . As the CEO of Bannon Communications, he has advised Democrats, labor unions and progressive issue groups on polling and message development for decades. His clients have included the National Education Association, the AFL-CIO, Public Citizen, the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
When I think about everyday creativity I think about being generous with the inches and minutes of daily life. My experience and my study have taught me there is a wonderful creative energy released through our generous behaviors — an energy that serves you and others.