I found myself in a sea of cherry blossoms in Washington DC, 🏛 feeling a sense of renewal that only spring can bring.🌷🌳☀️ It was here, at the Alzheimer's Impact Movement's Advocacy Forum, that I channeled my personal loss into something greater—a passionate fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia.💜 This episode of Nearest and Dearest Podcast takes you through that journey, where we grapple with the staggering reality of Alzheimer's impact and the ray of hope that recent treatment advancements provide. I unpack both the emotional and realistic components of the disease, as someone who's witnessed its effects firsthand, watching my beautiful mom suffer and as an advocate for change.

There's no denying the urgency; the numbers are daunting, with Alzheimer's cases expected to double by 2050. But there’s power in unity, 🫶 and this episode is a testament to the collective strength of caregivers, advocates, and those living with the disease. 👫👭👬I discuss the Alzheimer's Association's vision, where a world 🌎without this devastating condition isn't just a dream but a goal worth striving for. 🙌🤍 So, take a moment to tune in, find the hyperlinks below 🚨👇and let's embark on this fight together! 🤝It's not just about facing the facts—it's about fostering hope and action in an era where advocacy isn't just needed, it’s a matter of life and death. ❤️
LINKS! 🚨🚨👇👇

• https://www.alz.org ( find the facts, support & volunteer opportunities )
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Still_Alice ( details about this award winning movie - Still Alice )
• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2049586/ ( details about this courageous journey Glen Campbell & his family embarked on together )
• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15429788/ ( details about this heartwarming & magical performances by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga )
• julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com ( send me an email 📧 if you have any comments, suggestions or YOU want to share YOUR own personal story! ❤️)

Ever wonder how a simple 'Wicked Happy' baseball cap 🧢 could sum up one's philosophy on life? 🧐That's what happened to me. I unravel the layers of happiness that have shaped my existence from my earliest childhood memories. 🛝🚲
Rediscover the bliss of childhood joys, like those carefree days in Brownville with ice cream treats 🍦 and boundless outdoor play, and understand why these memories are more than nostalgia; they're foundational to our present happiness. 😊

As I share the story behind my cherished cap—a gift from my son—I explore how we can harness control in our lives through self-permission and responsibility. The small moments that spark joy are often overlooked, but I'm here to remind you of their profound impact on our relationships and overall happiness. From family recollections to the everyday bliss of nature walks, 🌳🌻🐞this episode is a testament to finding and holding onto happiness in the ever-evolving journey of life. Join me, with your own metaphorical 'Wicked Happy' hat, and let's celebrate 🎉 the things that make us genuinely content.

LINKS!
🚨🚨How Do YOU choose happiness as a mindset? 🤔
Send me an email - I'll share it on a future episode! Click below👇

• 👉julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com 👈
• https://www.happiness.com/magazine/inspiration-spirituality/why-happiness-is-a-state-of-mind/ ( Happiness is a state of mind: 8 ways you can achieve it )
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJJmDzVXCx8 ( Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head - B.J. Thomas )
• https://www.wickedhappy.com/products/garment-washed-trucker-cap-navy-front-khaki-back-red-logo ( My exact Wicked Happy baseball cap! )

Nearest And Dearest Podcast is my hope that maybe, my stories will resonate with you! I still believe today, that if any of my content connects with you personally, it's priceless! 🫶 It's a testament to the strength of our shared human experience, one that even caught the attention of alcoholfree.com, where my stories provide solace to those embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle.
I'm humbled when I receive text messages, emails, reviews or even chats from you! S3E2 Making Connections is a shout out 📣 🤩 to you! I believe the magic 🪄comes from making human connections through sharing life experiences all across the world! 🌎
I'm grateful & blessed to have you experience yours with me. ❤️
LINKS!
🚨SEND ME AN EMAIL 📧 🚨Any suggestions, or share your own story 👉 julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com

https://www.alcoholfree.com/ Dive into their website full of articles, videos & podcasts.

I'm glad you are joining me with Season 3 Episode 1 - Pushing The Pause Button ⏸ I'm looking forward to another season with you! ❤️ Have you ever caught yourself mid-sentence, wondering if silence might have been the wiser choice? 🤔 I'd like to think the older I get, the wiser I should be. Deciding to use pause as a powerful tool, can transform conversations, guide you when making a change & give yourself some quiet time. 🤫
When you purposefully seek to understand that you can have more control over your reactions, by staying in your own lane. This will allow you to be able to navigate your own daily life, with more calm & peacefulness. ☮️
LINKS!
🚨SEND ME AN EMAIL 📧 🚨HOW ARE YOU PUSHING THE PAUSE BUTTON? 👇👇

• julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com
• https://www.wondermind.com/article/be-present/ - 9 Smart Ways To Pause And Be Present

Have you ever felt like a tightrope walker in your own life, constantly striving for balance? ⚖️ This 🔁 BEST OF episode is another reminder that YOU do have control. Weaving threads from my life alongside the narrative outlines of 'Eat Pray Love', one of my favs, I reveal how the quest for self-love and making resonant choices is not just about surviving our past decisions, but about thriving through them. 💥
Realizing the necessity of owning our decisions, finding strength in our stumbles, and the pivotal role of self-validation in scripting a life without regrets, is within YOUR grasp! ❤️

LINKS! 🚨🚨👇👇
I Would LOVEEEE to hear 📧 🗣 from YOU‼️
julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com 📧 Send Me Your Own Personal - Finding Balance - that YOU are experiencing! By sharing YOUR own story, YOU will be empowering 💥 not only yourself, but the universe 🪐 needs more positive voices!!
https://speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast - 🗣 Want to give a quick shout out about YOUR own - Finding Balance - that YOU are experiencing?! I can share it on a future episode!
Share your mailing address 📬 👇
julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com
I'll send you a vinyl Nearest And Dearest Podcast sticker to put on your fav water bottle! ❤️
https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/eat-pray-love/ ( the official website for best selling author Elizabeth Gilbert )

Strap in and join me, as I remember facing my inner fears of driving 🚗 cross country from Northern New York to Mesa Arizona 🏜. I chose 🔁 BEST OF - You Did It! from Season 1 to remind myself & YOU , that by purposefully making a decision that conquers 💥your own anxiety of the unknown 😫, can be a huge fulfillment!
It's not only about accomplishing huge personal inner struggles. It's also about reflecting upon true gratefulness 🥰 every day for your own inner peace ☮️, even when you are struggling with very difficult life challenges that YOU will overcome! It's the little moments of making the best out of what is in front of you, that will keep guiding 🌅YOU towards your best version of yourself! ❤️
So buckle up, and let's hit the road 🛣 to empowerment 💥 and shared tales 📝 of resilience.

LINKS! 🚨🚨👇 👇
I would LOVEEEEE to hear 🗣 📧 from YOU ‼️
julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com - 📧 Send Me Your Own Personal - I Did It! - moment!! By sharing YOUR own story, YOU will be empowering 💥not only yourself, but the universe 🪐needs more positive voices!!
https://speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast - 🗣 Want to give a quick shout out about YOUR own - I Did It! - moment?! I can share it on a future episode!
Share your mailing address 📬 👇julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com - I'll send you a vinyl Nearest And Dearest Podcast sticker to put on your fav water bottle! ❤️

I picked this 🔁 BEST OF - Get Going Goals, which is from Season 1 actually, because I needed to remind myself about starting my new goals! Yes 2024 🎉 has started & you have put together your own set of aspiring goals for yourself. But, the real challenge of beginning those goals can be daunting and overwhelming.

I'm sharing the pivotal lessons I've learned—like embracing the power of taking charge of what's within your reach and releasing the reins on what's not. I hope you will realize that first finding your own motivation, then giving yourself a sustainable timeline, putting forth the effort that only YOU can do, while holding yourself accountable - will ultimately be the key 🔑, that unlocks 🔓your success! 🤩

LINKS!
LEAVE A COMMENT HERE ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com 👈 ( Send me an email 📧with YOUR own personal goal you are working on! I would love to hear from you! )
https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast 👈 ( Record a quick answer about your own goal you are working on! I would love to hear from you! 🗣 **** use the email option above, if you have a lot to say 😉 )
https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/goal-setting.html ( Goal Setting: How to Set & Achieve Your Goals 🎯 )
https://www.bigpodcast.com ( David Hooper - author - Big Podcast - Grow Your Podcast Audience, Build Listener Loyalty & Get Everybody Talking About Your Show )

I want to share this special episode 🔁Best Of - Discovering My Italian Roots - Part 2 because of how very near & dear it is to my heart! ❤️
This personal episode isn't just a journey through my lineage; it's an exploration of the universal longing for connection, belonging, and the sweet discovery of where our truest selves reside.
The breathtaking views I encountered through the mountainous ⛰ terrain of Calabria 🇮🇹, which borders the Tyrrhenian Sea 🌊, connected my soul to my ancestors . 🫶

Links!

• https://www.travelawaits.com/2684560/calabria-italy-things-to-do/ ( a glimpse into how special Calabria is! )
• https://www.facebook.com/Katisanpizzeria?mibextid=LQQJ4d ( ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel & Pizzeria Bar we stayed at ❤️ )
• https://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/guardia-piemontese ( a little history about this special place! )
• julierogers@nearestanddearestpodcast.com ( send me a question, comment or share YOUR OWN personal story! I would love to hear from you! ❤️ )
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com ( ✅ out my website for more episodes & show notes/links! 📝 )
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast ( please leave me a recorded message! 🗣 I'll send you one back! 🎤 )