GEEZERS, GADGETS AND GIZMOS — THE PODCAST: Real Conversations About Aging, Independence, and Living Well

Coming soon:

Julie Robison is a Professor of Medicine at UConn Center on Aging and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Gerontology. Her research focuses on long-term services and supports (LTSS), dementia care, caregiving, independent living, and improving quality of life for older adults and their families. In this upcoming episode, Dr. Robison helps us explore what people often misunderstand about aging support systems—and what actually makes a difference in helping older adults remain independent longer. We’ll discuss caregiving realities, dementia and daily living, the challenges families face navigating long-term support, and how research and policy directly impact quality of life in everyday settings. This will be a practical and eye-opening conversation about aging, independence, and the systems that shape how people grow older in America.

What if aging is far more under your control than you’ve been led to believe? In an upcoming episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast, we welcome Dr. George Kuchel, Director of the UConn Center on Aging, Travelers Chair in Geriatrics and Gerontology, and one of the nation’s leading voices on healthy aging and longevity. Dr. Kuchel’s research focuses on understanding why people age at different rates and how individuals can maximize their healthspan—the years of life spent healthy, active, and independent. His work challenges many common assumptions about aging, emphasizing that genetics account for less than one-third of the aging process, while lifestyle, environment, and preventive care play far larger roles than most people realize. Join us as Dr. Kuchel discusses the science of aging, the importance of physical activity, cognitive engagement, social connection, and the practical steps all of us can take to improve our quality of life as we grow older. If you’ve ever wondered what really influences how well we age, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Navigating today’s healthcare system can be challenging, especially when multiple specialists, treatments, and decisions are involved. In an upcoming episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast, we welcome Leslie C. Schlachter, PA-C, Chief Physician Assistant in the Department of Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Health System, Neurosurgery Clinical Director, and Assistant Physician Assistant Site Director at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Known for her exceptional commitment to patient care and communication, Leslie serves as a vital bridge between patients, families, and healthcare providers. Her dedication to ensuring patients feel informed, supported, and empowered earned her the prestigious 2023 Cullman Family Award, recognizing healthcare professionals who rank in the top 5% nationally for excellence in patient communication. During our conversation, Leslie shares practical insights on patient advocacy, navigating complex healthcare decisions, improving communication with providers, and becoming a more active participant in your own healthcare journey. Whether you’re managing your own health, caring for a loved one, or simply trying to become a better healthcare consumer, this episode offers valuable guidance from one of the most respected voices in patient-centered care. Be sure to join us for this important and informative conversation.

Watch Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast:

Dr. Charlene Gamaldo is a neurologist and sleep specialist at Johns Hopkins and the Medical Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep and Wellness. A Professor of Neurology with joint appointments in psychiatry and anesthesiology–critical care, her work focuses on sleep disorders and how they affect brain health, daily function, and overall quality of life—especially as we age. In this episode, Dr. Gamaldo helps us understand what actually changes in sleep as we get older—and what doesn’t. We explore the difference between normal sleep changes and conditions that need to be addressed, why so many people feel they’re not sleeping well, and what begins to improve when sleep is better understood. This is a practical conversation about how sleep connects to energy, clarity, and independence in everyday life.

Ashton Applewhite is an internationally recognized expert on ageism and the author of This Chair Rocks. A co-founder of the Old School Hub, she has spoken at venues ranging from the United Nations to the TED mainstage and was named one of the UN’s Healthy Ageing 50—leaders working to make the world a better place to grow older. In this episode, Ashton helps us unpack the idea that ageism isn’t just something that happens to us—it’s something we carry with us. We explore how deeply our assumptions about aging shape independence, identity, and what we believe is possible—and what begins to change when we start questioning them. This is a conversation that shifts the lens on everything that follows.

Ebony White is a public policy and consumer protection expert with the National Council on Aging, focused on helping older adults navigate financial safety and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams. In this episode, Ebony brings a clear, practical perspective to one of the most urgent—and often overlooked—threats to independence: financial vulnerability. We talk about how scams are evolving, why older adults are often targeted, and what individuals and families can do to stay protected. It’s an essential conversation about safeguarding not just finances, but autonomy and peace of mind.

Keith Bellizzi is a public health researcher at the University of Connecticut whose work focuses on resilience, aging, and how people adapt in the face of life’s unexpected challenges. He is also the author of Falling Forward, a powerful exploration of reinvention and what it means to move forward after disruption. In this episode, Keith brings both research and lived experience to the conversation, offering a grounded perspective on resilience—not as a trait you either have or don’t, but as something that can be developed over time. We explore what actually helps people adapt, recover, and re-engage with life at any stage, and why setbacks often become the starting point for something new.

Elizabeth Marquis, M.Ed.
Elizabeth Marquis is a senior care expert with Aging Well CT where she helps families navigate the often overwhelming decisions around aging, care, and independence. In this episode, Elizabeth brings clarity to what “aging in place” really means today—offering practical guidance on care options, family conversations, and how to make informed choices before a crisis forces them. It’s a grounded, compassionate look at planning ahead with confidence.

Scott Fulton
Scott Fulton is a thoughtful voice in the aging and life-design space, focused on helping people intentionally shape how they live as they grow older. In this conversation, he introduces the idea of “reverse engineering your life”—starting with how you want to live and then aligning your environment, habits, and decisions to support that vision. The episode is both philosophical and practical, offering a refreshing alternative to reactive aging by emphasizing control, purpose, and design.

Thomas Gill, MD
Dr. Thomas Gill is a leading geriatrician and professor at Yale School of Medicine, widely recognized for his research on aging, mobility, and disability prevention. In this episode, he shares what actually causes older adults to lose independence—and, more importantly, what can be done to prevent or delay it. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Gill offers clear, actionable insights that challenge common assumptions and empower listeners to stay active, capable, and independent longer.

GEEZERS, GADGETS AND GIZMOS — THE PODCAST

Real Conversations About Aging, Independence, and Living Well

Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast is a multi-platform podcast and media platform distributed across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and YouTube. The interview series is dedicated to honest, intelligent conversations about aging, independence, mobility, and quality of life.

This isn’t a medical show—and it’s not lifestyle fluff. It’s a public-education podcast grounded in lived experience and expert insight.

Each episode brings you into thoughtful conversations with researchers, clinicians, and cultural voices exploring what actually helps people stay independent, engaged, and confident as they age.

Format
• 30–40-minute conversational interviews
• Recorded remotely via Zoom

Distribution
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• iHeartRadio
• Amazon Music
• YouTube (full video episodes)
• GeezersGadgetsAndGizmos.com (articles + embedded episodes)

Audience & Reach

Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos – The Podcast reaches a growing audience of older adults, caregivers, families, and professionals seeking practical, real-world insights on aging well, maintaining independence, and navigating the realities of later life. The show is distributed across the major podcast platforms and continues to expand its reach through YouTube, written content, and social media.

Why It Fits

The podcast is part of a larger Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos platform:

• Website: Practical articles, product reviews, and guidance for aging safely and independently
• YouTube: Demonstrations of tools and solutions that support everyday independence
• Podcast: Deeper conversations that add meaning, context, and perspective

Together, they form a single mission: helping people age with clarity, dignity, and quality of life.

What We Talk About

• Independence and functional health
• Mobility, recovery, and adaptation
• Aging in place
• The psychology and culture of aging
• Purpose, identity, and quality of life

These conversations are designed for older adults, caregivers, families, and professionals—without jargon or unnecessary complexity.

Why Guests Say Yes

• Multi-platform distribution across all major podcast networks
• Thoughtful, unscripted conversations
• Respect for expertise and lived experience
•  No product pitching or sensationalism
• Professional production and distribution
• Engaged audience of older adults, caregivers, families, and professionals
• A platform that treats aging with intelligence, dignity, and humanity

Garrison Leykam is the host of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos, where he explores what it actually takes to stay independent as we age. With a PhD in Marketing and a background in psychology, leadership, and media, he has spent decades helping people understand behavior, make decisions, and navigate change. He brings both professional insight and lived experience to these conversations—as someone navigating the same realities as his audience. Garrison has hosted and produced television and radio programming for Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), WSTC/WNLK News-Talk Radio, and Cablevision, reaching audiences across broadcast, podcast, and digital platforms.

Alyson Grisham is co-creator, co-producer, videographer, and editor of Geezers, Gadgets & Gizmos. She brings a seasoned eye for visual storytelling and a strong sense of pacing that helps shape each episode into something both engaging and real. Through her company, Alyson Films, she has spent years producing, shooting, and editing a wide range of content—from commercial and branded video to event coverage and digital storytelling—serving clients across Connecticut and the surrounding region. Earlier in her career, she worked as an Associate Producer for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), creating feature content and digital media seen by millions, and began in television production with MTV Networks. Working closely with Garrison, Alyson helps translate thoughtful conversations into a visual experience that connects with viewers—capturing not just what’s said, but what resonates.

Connect

🌐 Website
📺 YouTube