Aging Like A Pro

Want to unlock the secret to better mental health and aging gracefully? This episode of the Aging Like A Pro Podcast has nurse Rosa Hart sit down with Dr. Sonya Kaur from the University of Miami's Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute to explore the transformative power of mindfulness.  Dr. Kaur shares the origins of mindfulness and its growing role in therapy and medical practice. She explains the difference between a "doing" and "being" mindset, offers practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into daily life, and discusses its benefits for mental health and neurological conditions. We also dive into the role of self-compassion in mindfulness and Dr. Kaur leads us through a simple mindfulness exercise. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your practice, this episode is packed with insights to help you age like a pro. ------ Aging Like a Pro began as a healthy aging seminar series in partnership with community centers, libraries and senior organizations that focuses on mitigating social isolation and loneliness while offering information for healthy aging and brain health. Genetic factors cannot be controlled, but many environmental and lifestyle factors can be prevented or managed to reduce risk of memory decline and even Alzheimer’s disease. If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate in the cutting-edge research being done at the University of Miami’s McKnight Brain Institute, contact us here: [email protected] We wish to thank the Ansin Foundation, Community Foundation of Broward, and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation for their support. Guest Bio: Dr. Sonya S. Kaur, originally from Singapore, earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her internship in Clinical Psychology with a neuropsychology specialization at the Henry Ford Health System and a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Currently an Instructor in the Division of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Miami, Dr. Kaur conducts neuropsychological assessments for various neurological and psychiatric conditions. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and explores therapeutic techniques to improve sleep in neurological disorders. Her research focuses on cognitive impairment in aging, particularly the impact of lifestyle interventions like exercise and sleep on neurodegenerative disease progression. Learn more at: https://mbi-umiami.org/about-mbi/ Host Bio: Rosa Hart, BSN, RN, SCRN combines her expertise in neuro care and patient advocacy with a passion for storytelling. She is the creator and host of the internationally award-winning podcast "Stronger After Stroke", developed for the Norton Neuroscience Institute. This resource has reached stroke survivors and their loved ones worldwide, providing hope and practical strategies for achieving their best quality of life after stroke. Consequently, she is dedicated to amplifying public health messaging through media. Connect on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-hart-scrn/

Dive into smarter eating with expert Dr. Nicole Beaton Sur, Vascular Neurologist from the University of Miami. Discover the crucial link between nutrition and brain health as Dr. Sur unveils how macronutrients like proteins, carbs, and fats fuel cognitive functions. Learn which foods bolster brain vitality and which to avoid. Gain practical tips on planning, grocery shopping, and nurturing resilience through nutrition to safeguard against brain aging and diseases. Empower your journey to a fuller, healthier life. Aging Like a Pro began as a healthy aging seminar series in partnership with community centers, libraries and senior organizations that focuses on mitigating social isolation and loneliness while offering information for healthy aging and brain health. Genetic factors cannot be controlled, but many environmental and lifestyle factors can be prevented or managed to reduce risk of memory decline and even Alzheimer’s disease. If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate in the cutting-edge research being done at the University of Miami’s McKnight Brain Institute, contact us here: [email protected] We wish to thank the Ansin Foundation, Community Foundation of Broward, and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation for their support. Guest Bio: Dr. Nicole Beaton Sur, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, specializes in stroke care, health disparities research, and medical education. A recipient of the “Woman Resident of the Year” award, Dr. Sur serves as a co-investigator for the Florida Stroke Registry and site-PI for the NIH-funded DISCOVERY study, focusing on cognitive outcomes after stroke and addressing disparities in anticoagulant use for atrial fibrillation-related stroke. She is deeply involved in graduate medical education, having developed the Neuroscience and Behavioral Science pathway for the NextGenMD curriculum and contributing to the National Board of Medical Examiners. Through her clinical work, research, and leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives, Dr. Sur is advancing equity and excellence in stroke care and academic neurology. Learn more at: https://mbi-umiami.org/about-mbi/ Host Bio: Rosa Hart, BSN, RN, SCRN combines her expertise in neuro care and patient advocacy with a passion for storytelling. She is the creator and host of the internationally award-winning podcast "Stronger After Stroke", developed for the Norton Neuroscience Institute. This resource has reached stroke survivors and their loved ones worldwide, providing hope and practical strategies for achieving their best quality of life after stroke. Consequently, she is dedicated to amplifying public health messaging through media. Connect on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-hart-scrn/

Did you know that something as stimulating as quality sleep could be your secret weapon for aging like a pro? In this insightful episode of the Aging Like A Pro podcast, we sit down with Dr. Christian Agudelo, a renowned sleep neurologist from the University of Miami, to explore the fascinating science of sleep and its profound impact on brain health. Key Takeaways: 🔹 The Importance of Sleep Stages: Non-REM and REM sleep stages are essential for brain restoration, with Stage 3 non-REM facilitating brain "cleaning" and REM consolidating daily experiences into long-term knowledge. 🔹 Benefits of Quality Sleep: Proper sleep boosts mood, cognitive function, and protects against aging-related diseases like dementia, stroke, and heart conditions. 🔹 Sleep Hygiene Tips: Consistent wake-up times, sunlight exposure, physical activity, and a calming bedtime routine are crucial for optimizing sleep quality. If you're looking to demystify sleep or improve your sleep habits, this episode is a must-listen. Prioritize your sleep—your brain will thank you! Aging Like a Pro began as a healthy aging seminar series in partnership with community centers, libraries and senior organizations that focuses on mitigating social isolation and loneliness while offering information for healthy aging and brain health. Genetic factors cannot be controlled, but many environmental and lifestyle factors can be prevented or managed to reduce risk of memory decline and even Alzheimer’s disease. If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate in the cutting-edge research being done at the University of Miami’s McKnight Brain Institute, contact us here: [email protected] We wish to thank the Ansin Foundation, Community Foundation of Broward, and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation for their support. Guest Bio: Dr. Christian Agudelo is a Miami native who pursued a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University before attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he engaged in research on Parkinson’s Disease and neuroimaging with NIMH R25 and T23 fellowships. He completed his neurology residency and sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he serves as a clinical instructor and Evelyn F. McKnight Neurocognitive Scholar. Dr. Agudelo focuses his research on the relationship between sleep and cognitive decline, aiming to identify sleep biomarkers for preclinical cognitive decline, particularly among historically understudied Black and Latino populations. As Director of Education for the McKnight Brain Institute, he develops programs for cognitive neurology trainees and educates the public on sleep and cognitive health. Dr. Agudelo is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, highlighting his commitment to clinical practice, research, and service. Find out more at: https://mbi-umiami.org/about-mbi/ Host Bio: Rosa Hart, BSN, RN, SCRN combines her expertise in neuro care and patient advocacy with a passion for storytelling. She is the creator and host of the internationally award-winning podcast "Stronger After Stroke", developed for the Norton Neuroscience Institute. This resource has reached stroke survivors and their loved ones worldwide, providing hope and practical strategies for achieving their best quality of life after stroke. Consequently, she is dedicated to amplifying public health messaging through media. Connect on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-hart-scrn/

Ready to unlock the secrets to healthy aging? Tune in to the Aging Like A Pro Podcast as Dr. Tatjana Rundek, a leading expert in brain health, dives into the latest research on aging and how we can put science into practice to boost brain health, prevent cognitive decline, and live our best lives—at any age. Don’t miss this powerful conversation on transforming knowledge into action! Aging Like a Pro began as a healthy aging seminar series in partnership with community centers, libraries and senior organizations that focuses on mitigating social isolation and loneliness while offering information for healthy aging and brain health. Genetic factors cannot be controlled, but many environmental and lifestyle factors can be prevented or managed to reduce risk of memory decline and even Alzheimer’s disease. If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate in the cutting-edge research being done at the University of Miami’s McKnight Brain Institute, contact us here: [email protected] We wish to thank the Ansin Foundation, Community Foundation of Broward, and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation for their support. Guest Bio: Dr. Tatjana Rundek, MD, PhD, FANA is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she serves as Executive Vice Chair of Research and Faculty Affairs, Director of Clinical Translational Research, and Director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute. A vascular neurologist and clinical researcher, she leads NIH-funded projects on stroke, age-related memory loss, cognitive decline, and brain health, collaborating nationally and internationally on major studies. With over 500 peer-reviewed publications, she is also an accomplished educator and mentor, directing research training programs such as StrokeNet and NeuroNEXT. Dr. Rundek has held leadership roles in organizations like the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission and the American Institute in Ultrasound in Medicine and has earned prestigious awards, including the AHA Mentor Award and the Women in Academic Medicine Career Achievement Award. She continues as a member of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine in Florida (ASEMFL) engaging in collaborations and discussions across the State of Florida about research and brain health challenges our society faces. She has recently been elected as the newest member of the Florida ADRC REC Steering Committee. https://mbi-umiami.org/ Host Bio: Rosa Hart, BSN, RN, SCRN combines her expertise in neuro care and patient advocacy with a passion for storytelling. She is the creator and host of the internationally award-winning podcast "Stronger After Stroke", developed for the Norton Neuroscience Institute. This resource has reached stroke survivors and their loved ones worldwide, providing hope and practical strategies for achieving their best quality of life after stroke. Consequently, she is dedicated to amplifying public health messaging through media. Connect on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-hart-scrn/