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Age of AgingAuthor: Penn Memory Center
Welcome to the Age of Aging, a podcast about living well with an aging brain. The Age of Aging is a podcast released every other Tuesday, covering a wide range of stories in aging research. Co-hosted by Jake Johnson and Terrence Casey from the Penn Memory Center communications team, each episode they will explore what it means to age with independence and dignity in the modern world. You can expect to hear from the University of Pennsylvanias world-class researchers, caregivers of those with cognitive difficulties, and everyday people who want to keep their brain as healthy as possible as they age. Supported by the Penn Memory Center, Penn FTD Center, Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn Alzheimers Disease Research Center. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Mental Health Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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A Disease's Final Kiss
Episode 8
Tuesday, 23 December, 2025
Art that tries to teach you things “stinks,” says playwright and actor Jake Broder. “And yet there is a profound need for education, for awareness, for reducing stigma, for supporting the community and for medical education,” he said. A few years ago, while writing his latest play about the two individuals with frontotemporal dementia, he wrestled with how he could do both. In the season 4 finale of the Age of Aging, we tell the story of UnRavelled, a play about perseverance through neurodegeneration, burgeoning creativity late in life and an artistic relationship across time. Producer Jake Johnson shares his first-hand experience of the play’s premiere and how it combined theater with community outreach and education. What’s inside: A historical perspective on composer Maurice Ravel’s brain condition and his work, “Bolero.” An explanation from Dr. Bruce Miller on the relationship between frontotemporal degeneration and creativity. Jake Broder’s insight into the inspiration and creation of the play as well as the associated Brain Health Festival. The perspective of the show’s director and cast on creating the play and its core themes. Resources available on the episode webpage linked below Listen to Maurice Ravell’s Bolero Learn more about Dr. Bruce Miller Listen to Unraveling Bolero (Radiolab) Learn more about Jake Broder More information on For Their Thoughts Foundation Visit the official website of UnRavelled Subscribe to the Age of Aging Newsletter Special thanks this episode to Dr. Bruce Miller, Jake Broder, Betsy Hall, Lucy Davenport, James Bonas, Leo Marks, Tracy Leigh, and the entire UnRavelled team. The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp. The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsors, the TIAA Institute and Rothkoff Law Group. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging. Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.













