Media icon Rona Barrett, who is now an advocate for vulnerable seniors, has launched “Gray Matters: The Podcast,” in which she shares personal stories and observations about “the adventure of aging.”
Barrett’s debut podcast is a weekly dose of thought-provoking, humorous, and useful insights on issues that matter to senior loved ones and those who care for them.
“I hear from so many friends and fans struggling with the realities of caring for senior family members or their own senior years,” said Barrett, founder of the nonprofit Rona Barrett Foundation. “There are too many unspoken mysteries around growing up and growing older. I hope my podcast will bring people of all ages together to share freely about the experience of phasing into new stages of life.”
After some 35 years as a celebrity reporter, commentator and producer, Barrett has spent the past 20 years championing the need for housing and care for vulnerable seniors, as founder/CEO of the nonprofit Rona Barrett Foundation.
Barrett began her groundbreaking work at age 13, when her efforts helped launch the careers of Eddie Fisher and Steve Lawrence. In 1957, she was the youngest columnist to report on Hollywood, and her role in inaugurating “Good Morning America” blazed the trail for innovative entertainment reporting and for women in the media industry.
Barrett has published six top-rated magazines, paving the way for Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey enterprises.
Barrett continues to deliver on her track record of firsts, now with the Rona Barrett Foundation, as a pioneer in affordable housing leading the organization to become an award-winning innovator of community-based housing and wellness services for low-income seniors. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Foundation’s Golden Inn & Village in Santa Barbara County, as a model community that can be replicated in communities around the country.
The first series of “Gray Matters: The Podcast” gives voice to stories from Barrett’s acclaimed “Gray Matters” book and column. Episodes run about five minutes, borrowing from Barrett’s most tender moments to laugh-out-loud adventures with family, friends and career.
Episode one, “The Parent to My Parent,” reveals the beginning of her new path as she cared for her own father through the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
“My wish is that the podcast will also bring more attention to the need for changes in housing and healthcare policy to address the crisis in senior care,” said Barrett. “And to inspire people to support our programs that give seniors in their time of need the golden years that we all deserve.”
Weekly episodes and subscription to “Gray Matters: The Podcast” are available at https://ronabarrettfoundation.org/podcast.
The Rona Barrett Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing and supportive services for seniors-in-need, achieved by developing, expanding and continuing operation of care homes such as the Golden Inn & Village in Santa Ynez. Residents benefit from a wide range of essential care services. Learn more at www.ronabarrettfoundation.org.