Ironing Out The Wrinkles with Ros McMaster – Details, episodes & analysis

S1 Ep38. Embracing Impermanence: A Buddhist Journey through Death and Dying" with Ven. Lozang Tsultrim (Australian Buddhist Nun), from Karuna Hospice Service

In this season finale episode of "Ironing out the Wrinkles", Ros McMaster and Cate Shaw speak with Tsultrim, an Australian Buddhist nun and counselor at Karuna Hospice Service in Brisbane, about the Buddhist philosophy of accepting impermanence and letting go of attachment. They delve into practical skills in compassionate care and support for the dying and their families, and the importance of preparing emotionally and spiritually for death.

Tsultrim shares her extensive experience, knowledge, understanding, and insights into the important field of palliative care, providing a Buddhist perspective and how her faith guides her work. They discuss topics such as why people are afraid to talk about death, what the dying are most afraid of, and how to help patients who are struggling with fear and anxiety about death.

They also explore the importance of emotional well-being at the time of passing and how to prepare for it, regardless of one's spiritual beliefs. Tsultrim explains the significance of contemplative practices, such as meditation and mindfulness, in preparing for death. Additionally, they discuss how Tsultrim works with patients from different religious backgrounds or those who may not be religious at all.

This episode offers valuable insights and guidance for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of dying well and provides a Buddhist perspective on embracing impermanence.

Karuna Hospice Service: https://karuna.org.au/

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light   https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight 

Email Ros McMaster roslynmcmaster@icloud.com  

#BuddhistApproachtoDying #KarunaHospiceService #karuna #deathanddying #

S1. Ep37 Stacey McCray - Starting Over at 50: Embracing Change, Finding Joy, and Building a New Life (mental health and self-care, community building, dating, and embracing aging).

In this podcast episode, Ros and Cate talk with Stacey McCray, who shares her personal story of starting over in her early 50s. After leaving her successful career, her long-term marriage ended unexpectedly, and she vacated the home she lived in for 22 years, which took a toll on her mental health. Stacey's journey relates to the transitional turning points that occur in life and reminds us that how we respond to them can impact our well-being. Today, Stacey is passionate about using her newly acquired skills to help others through trauma, mental health issues, and loneliness.

Stacey discusses her process of choosing joy and stepping into becoming a more authentic version of herself. She talks about how she coped with post-divorce stress, including fear of moving into change specifically because she was an older woman. She also discusses how these changes impacted her sense of identity and how she balanced building a business and dealing with the stress of a protracted divorce.

Stacey's journey is characterized by self-care, including meditation, holistic health and nutrition courses, energetic healing, and aromatherapy. She discusses healthy habits she incorporated into her daily routine and how they impact her energy, decision-making, and motivation. She also talks about decluttering and creating new spaces as a form of self-care, and how she furnished her apartment to reflect her new chapter in life.

Stacey became a soul coach, a concept she first came across when she began to take care of her soul and identify areas for growth. She is now passionate about building community, finding purpose, and combating loneliness, which she does by getting involved in community projects and initiating groups that bring people together. Stacey also talks about dating, body image, and aging, and provides advice to those struggling with these issues.

Stacey's Meetups: ⁠https://www.meetup.com/noosa-social-connections/⁠

Stacey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceymccraycoach/⁠

WEBSITE Ironing Out the Wrinkles

Full Guest Line-up ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup⁠

Meet Ros & Cate ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/meetrosandcate⁠

To read Ros's full bio or purchase her self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight⁠

Email Ros McMaster ⁠roslynmcmaster@icloud.com⁠

S1. Ep29. Moving Towards Healing: Tools for Overcoming Anxiety and Depression with Lee Heath, Founder of Mending Minds Counselling Service

Welcome to this episode where we delve into the issues that lead to states of anxiety and depression and tools for moving towards healing using a system known as the 'Human Givens'. Our guest today is Lee Heath, the founder of Mending Minds, a counseling service. Lee has extensive knowledge and experience in treating 'older' persons affected by depression and anxiety.

Key Points:

• Lee's experience as an emergency nurse led to becoming a counselor
• Main reasons older persons seek assistance and trends in gender
• Possibility of not realizing depression or anxiety
• The language used to describe symptoms and signs in older people
• Effects of trauma (PTSD) in the second stage of life if left unaddressed
• Introduction to the Human Given system and how it helps clients deal with sadness and trauma
• Duration of therapy and determinants of change
• Services offered by Mending Minds
• Overview of Lee Heath's self-help book "How to Really Cure Depression"
• Words of wisdom for those experiencing signs of depression or anxiety

LINKS:

Website:  http://mendingminds.co/Contact.html

Book: How to Really Cure Your Depression (Amazon)

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup⁠

Email Ros McMaster ⁠roslynmcmaster@icloud.com⁠  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight

S1. Ep28. Suzanne Linkroum - Setting Healthy Boundaries with Adult Children: Breaking Free from the Enabling Trap Today Psychologist Suzanne Linkroum, Clinical Director for Waypoint Wellness Center in Maryland USA, is discussing the importance of setting healthy boundaries with adult children. It is natural for parents to want to help their adult children, but sometimes, good intentions can lead to unintended negative consequences. Suzanne provides us with valuable insights into the difference between supporting and enabling, and how to recognize when we are engaging in unhealthy helping.

Episode Show Notes:

I. Introduction

• Natural instinct of parents to help their adult children
• Importance of setting healthy boundaries to avoid enabling

II. Supporting vs. Enabling

III. Harmful Effects of Enabling

IV. Achieving Win-Win Situations

V. Overcoming the Enabling Trap

LINKS:

https://www.waypointwellnesscenter.com/providers/suzanne-linkroum/

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup⁠

Email Ros McMaster ⁠roslynmcmaster@icloud.com⁠  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight

S1. Ep27. Jade Cassar Pilates Instructor - the importance of stretching as we get older

As we age, it's essential to keep fit, but many forms of exercise can be hard on our bodies. Pilates has become a popular exercise option for older adults looking to stay in shape while reducing the risk of injury. Pilates focuses on controlled breathing and quality of movement, making it an excellent choice for older adults. In this episode, we're joined by Pilates instructor Jade Cassar, the Director of Powered by Pilates, to discuss the benefits of Pilates for older adults.

Key Points:

• Development of Pilates
• Pilates focus on controlled breathing and quality of movement.
• Different types of Pilates - Matt Pilates and reformer Pilates
• Benefits of Pilates for Older adult
• Age restrictions and limits
• Choosing a Pilates Instructor
• Expected Results from Pilates

LINKS Website

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup⁠

Email Ros McMaster ⁠roslynmcmaster@icloud.com⁠  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight

S1. Ep26. The Reality of Retiring Without a Plan with Retirement Coach Pauline Field

Retirement can be an exciting yet daunting transition for many, especially for women who may face unique challenges. In this episode, we chat with Pauline Field, a retirement coach who specializes in helping women navigate the transition into retirement. We discuss the definition of retirement, when is the right time to retire, the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, and how to find meaning after retirement. We also delve into the challenges faced by single retirees and the services available both in-person and online. Retirement can be a challenging transition, but with the right preparation and support, it can also be a fulfilling and exciting new phase of life.

Guest Introduction:

• Pauline Field is a highly sought-after coach who has retired three times. She founded the nonprofit 50/50 Leadership and led the establishment of the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women. Pauline is committed to helping women be half the leaders in all walks of life.

Discussion:

• Defining retirement and when it's a good time to retire.
• The importance of being prepared for the unexpected and handling challenges like retrenchment and ageism.
• How to prepare for retirement emotionally, financially, and physically.
• Adapting to retirement after working for a long time and finding meaning after retirement.
• Unique challenges faced by single retirees and the services available both in-person and online.

WEBSITE LINKS

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup⁠

Email Ros McMaster ⁠roslynmcmaster@icloud.com⁠  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  ⁠https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight

S1. Ep25. Learning from Aboriginal Culture: The Importance of Elders and Community with Christine Luck

Aboriginal culture is centered around respect for the land and its elders, who are viewed as knowledgekeepers and cultural authorities. In this episode, Aboriginal woman Christine Luck shares insights into the role of elders in the community and how they are important to family functioning. We explore questions about what makes an Aboriginal an elder, how they are viewed by youth today, and how they impart wisdom through modern technology. We also discuss the importance of spirituality in coping with challenges and passing down cultural values, traditions, and responsibilities. Ultimately, we can learn from Aboriginal culture about the value of respecting and connecting with our elders and communities. It seems we have a lot to learn from Aboriginal culture, and to help us make a start, today we’re joined by Christine Luck. Christine is an Aboriginal woman with ancestral ties to Bundaberg, St George, and Prussia. She identifies as a Gurang Gurang woman with strong connections to Baffle Creek in the Port Curtis Coast area. Christine grew up in Jarowar country at Withcott and has lived in Brisbane, in Turrabul country for the past 36 years.

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup

Email Ros McMaster roslynmcmaster@icloud.com  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight

S1. Ep24. Embracing Retirement: A Personal Story of Leaving Palliative Care and Living Life to the Fullest with Marg Buckley"

The concept of aging is changing, in that being older is often now considered to be a time for rejuvenation. If one is to look up the word “Rejuvenation”, it means to have a renewed life, time to process, new energy, and add more vigor to something one values. But not everyone is so convinced of that… and getting older is seen as a time of debilitation instead.… And that's why …. every month ….we like to invite a guest to share with us their positive personal story about their journey to being older. Hearing about another person's experiences helps us strengthen, challenge, or change our perceptions, opinions, and values.

Joining us with her personal story today, is our guest, Marg Brown. Aged 73 years, Marg is proof that the researchers got it right! Since retiring from a much-loved position as a community Palliative Care nurse, Marg and her husband of 45 years have been enjoying fantastic adventures traveling the world each year. Marg says: “Life is a book, if you do not travel, you only read one page”.

Organisations Marg is associated with:

Here’s to Life - Health and Wellbeing program 

The University of the Third Age. 

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup

Email Ros McMaster roslynmcmaster@icloud.com  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight

S1. Ep23. Crafting a Fulfilling Retirement with Your Innate Strengths: Exploring the Fiksdal Strengths Process with Steve Fiksdal

In this episode, we discuss how our innate strengths can give us the ability to craft a new direction for ourselves, especially after retirement. Our guest, Steve Fiksdal, lost significant vision at the age of 55, and after a 34-year spring break, he returned to college to complete his B.S. degree in Organizational Leadership. Today, Steve is helping people identify their strengths using the Fiksdal Strengths process, which is a unique way of discovering your innate strengths. He explains that each and every one of us is unique in our pattern of strengths, and knowing our core strengths can change our view of ourselves and lead to deeper benefits. We delve into the Fiksdal Strengths Process and discuss how discovering our core strengths can help us navigate a new path beyond retirement. We also talk about Steve's journey and how he is currently serving as the Leadership Committee Chairperson for the Washington Council of the Blind. Tune in to discover how you can identify your own pattern of strengths and use them to create a fulfilling and productive post-retirement life.

LINKS: Steve's Website for Workshops and Info Web Site 

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup

Email Ros McMaster roslynmcmaster@icloud.com  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight

S1. Ep22. "Securing a Comfortable Retirement Lifestyle: Expert Financial Tips and Retirement Myth-Busting with Rachael Ooi"

GENERAL ADVICE WARNING – The information presented by Rachael Ooi in this podcast is purely for discussion purposes only and is not the delivery of personal advice, therefore you must not act on it as such. Prior to acting on any information contained within, you should seek advice from a professional authorized adviser that takes into account your own financial circumstances, goals, and objectives.

Retirement income is a major concern for many Australians, with 62% of all ages worrying about it. In this episode, we discuss the significance of the issue and how seeking professional advice can help secure a comfortable retirement lifestyle. Our guest, Rachael Ooi, a financial planner at Your Wealth Consultants, shares her expertise on :

• Introduction to retirement income concerns in Australia
• Top 5 financial tips for a smooth transition to retirement
• Managing anxiety about drawing down retirement savings and dealing with market crashes
• Preparing for retirement and estimating retirement needs
• Pros and cons of gifting money or helping the family financially
• Common traps retirees fall into
• Recent changes to Centrelink and their impact on retirees
• Pros and cons of downsizing your home after 55
• "Fact or fallacy" retirement myth-busting game

LINKS:

Rachel Ooi Your Wealth Consultants https://yourwc.com.au/

ASFA – Association of Superannuation Funds Australia Retirement standards - https://www.superannuation.asn.au/resources/retirement-standard 

Moneysmart Retirement Calculator - https://moneysmart.gov.au/retirement-income/retirement-planner 

Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card - https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/commonwealth-seniors-health-card

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup

Email Ros McMaster roslynmcmaster@icloud.com  

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight