Mile High Magazine Podcast

Guest: Zak Ferry Executive Director

The Lion Project is working to reduce food insecurity across the Denver metro area by placing mobile food markets at neighborhood schools, giving children and families reliable access to essential resources while easing financial strain. Each market is a repurposed 52‑foot semi‑truck trailer designed to serve about 100 families per week, stocked through partnerships with local nonprofits and grocery stores that help redirect surplus food to households in need. By keeping families fed and supported, the initiative strengthens community stability and prevents unnecessary family separation. The organization will celebrate the launch of its first mobile food pantry with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on June 20th.

thelionproject.org

Guest: Kelsey Simpkins Communications and Programs Manager

Simple Steps for Better Air is the Regional Air Quality Council’s summer effort to cut pollution along the Front Range by focusing on small daily habits that make a real difference. Avoiding unnecessary car idling reduces the emissions that help create ground‑level ozone—an invisible pollutant formed when tailpipe emissions mix with heat and sunlight during Colorado’s hot summer days. While ozone high in the stratosphere protects us from UV radiation, ozone near the ground can harm people with asthma, lung conditions, older adults, and children. Residents can check daily conditions through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or most weather apps, work from home when possible, fuel vehicles after 5 p.m., and take advantage of a 30% discount on electric lawn and garden equipment through 2026. These simple steps help protect both our air and our health.

SimpleStepsBetterAir.org.

Guest: Eileen Doherty, Executive Director, Seniors Answers

This Colorado Legislative session lawmakers approved extending the Senior Homestead Exemption for another year. In addition, they passed several pieces of legislation with implications for Older Adults.

Guest: Jordan Meadows Founder & CEO

Mental Health Alliance for Athletes recognizes that even simple tasks can become overwhelming after a concussion, and it was created to give athletes, their families, and caregivers an accessible place to find support. The organization offers an online care provider directory that helps users search for specialized providers beyond traditional primary care or neurology, as well as a financial assistance program that can cover costs when insurance is unavailable or insufficient. With athlete suicides doubling over the past two decades and suicide now the second leading cause of death among U.S. college athletes, the Alliance aims to address the heightened mental health challenges athletes face, including performance‑related anxiety, by removing barriers to care and connecting them with the support they need.

 https://www.mentalhealthallianceforathletes.org/

Guest: Joe Lewis, CEO/Founder

Angels of America’s Fallen stands beside the children of our fallen military and first responders, making sure they never face their loss—or their future—alone. The organization was founded when Joe lost two Marine friends who would never have the chance to guide their newborn children, prompting him to ask who would step in during the years when kids need support the most. Children who lose a parent face sharply increased risks of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, dropping out of school, and even suicide, and Angels of America’s Fallen responds by keeping them engaged in healthy activities, surrounding families with steady, compassionate follow‑up, and building healing peer connections. With a commitment to walk with every enrolled child until age 19, their mission is unwavering: no child should ever be lost because their parent gave everything for our country and communities.

aoafallen.org

Guest: John Magliaccio, Certified Financial Advisor

For women there are three key factors that influence financial security; longevity, lower life earnings and unpaid caregiving. However, with these factors there are small but incremental steps that can be taken, even with limited knowledge, that can be taken to improve and safeguard retirement income. In this program for Older Adults Month we share some steps that women and anyone can take to safeguard their retirement income.

Guest: Dr. Neil Box President, Colorado Melanoma Foundation  Co-Founder, Colorado Melanoma Foundation & The Sun Bus

Higher altitude greatly increases UV exposure—about 26% more in Denver and up to 50% more above 10,000 feet—making sunburn occur much faster. Skin cancer is the most common and largely preventable cancer in the U.S., and the Sun Bus Project helps address this by offering free skin checks, personalized skin‑damage assessments, and sun‑safety education in underserved communities. The mobile clinic has completed over 10,000 screenings and identified more than 100 suspected melanoma cases, along with many basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Zinc‑based sunscreen provides the best UVA and UVB protection, but shade and protective clothing should come first. Good sun safety is good for everybody.  Whatever you do, don't get a sunburn and be sun safe.

https://www.thesunbus.org/

Guest: Kelly Freeman; Certified Gerontologist, Nurse Practitioner

What matters, mobility, mentation and medications are termed the 4 M’s of lifestyle medicine. For older adults these four M’s support healthy aging, chronic disease prevention and patient centered outcomes. The key to achieving these four M’s is though food as medicine to promote lifespan shared at the OnAging26 national conference.

Guest: Dr. Cynthia Dickerson, neurologist with HCA HealthONE Swedish

During American Stroke Month this May, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association emphasize the importance of recognizing stroke warning signs and understanding personal risk. Strokes can occur at any age and result from either a blocked or ruptured artery in the brain, both of which cut off oxygen and cause tissue damage. As the fourth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States, early detection using the BEFAST acronym—Balance, Eyes, Facial droop, Arms, Speech, Time—is critical. High blood pressure is the primary risk factor, along with uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation. Prompt medical care improves outcomes, and up to 80% of strokes are preventable through awareness and proactive health management.

health1cares.com

Guest: Jennifer Fightmaster Family Nurse Practitioner With Special Training With Hormones

Hormone‑focused bloodwork goes deeper than standard labs, helping uncover issues like nutrient deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, or hormone imbalances that can affect energy, mood, metabolism, and bone health. Many people are told their results are “normal,” even though they’ve simply adapted to feeling off, and common tests like TSH alone don’t show how much usable thyroid hormone the body actually has. When hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone drop too low, bone strength and repair can suffer, which is why hormone replacement is about supporting long‑term health rather than appearance. Peptides can also help by signaling the body to perform specific functions. FitMD’s doctor‑supervised approach ensures treatment is monitored closely and adjusted when needed.

FitMDUSA.com

Guest: Paula Schiefer, CEO and President

Despite the misinformation being circulated, the vast majority of immigrants and refugees are here legally and taking the correct steps and following the proper process to become American citizens. At the same time, despite ICE raids, they are also taking career training, education, and assisting with language translations for government and industry. Assisting them is the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning.

Guest: Dr. Rachel Dolhun Foundation's Principal Medical Advisor

Parkinson’s disease is more than a movement disorder—it’s a complex brain condition that affects the whole body. Along with tremors, it can cause changes in smell, sleep, mood, and digestion, and symptoms vary widely from person to person. The disease develops as the brain produces less dopamine, and while there is no cure yet, exercise may help slow its progression. Genetics, environment, and aging all play a role. For those newly diagnosed, support from a neurologist, physical therapy, exercise, and good nutrition can make a meaningful difference. As one of the fastest‑growing neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s affects over a million Americans, and April’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month highlights the need for greater understanding, research, and support.

https://www.michaeljfox.org/

Guest: Paul Lopez Chief Elections Official and Denver City Clerk

The ample misinformation and just plain lies regarding voting currently being circulated needs a lot of cleaning up. With the Colorado primaries and the general November election now ahead, on this edition, we provide the correct information citizens need regarding the voting process, mail ballots security, ICE agents at polling places, signature validation being among the topics covered.

Guest: Angelica Prisciliano, the Economic Mobility Outreach Coordinator within Prevention Services Division at CDPHE

Get Ahead Colorado, a program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, provides residents with trusted information and resources to help them claim valuable tax credits and refunds they may otherwise miss. The campaign educates individuals about free or low‑cost tax‑filing options and highlights key credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit—worth up to $8,000 federally with a 50% state match—the Colorado Child Tax Credit, and the Colorado Family Affordability Tax Credit, which can provide up to $1,200 and $3,200 respectively. Because every household’s circumstances are unique, the amount a family can receive depends on their specific situation. 

getaheadcolorado.org

Guest: Rev. Peter Gomes, Harvard University

Easter is the most important day on the spiritual calendar. With the Bible and spiritual references being regularly invoked in politics and government actions, despite the separation of church and state, this program provides the proper perspective on religion and government in the context of the Constitution.

Guest: Melissa Hellmuth Executive Director

April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, underscoring the vital work of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a program that trains volunteers to advocate in court for the safety and well‑being of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers—who must be at least 21, pass a background check, and complete 35 hours of initial training along with ongoing education—meet weekly with the children on their cases to understand their needs, ensure their environments are safe, and build supportive relationships, whether at home, at the zoo, or even at a child’s sporting events. The annual Champions for Children Breakfast, held this year on May 14 at the Denver Marriott West, raises awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month and offers attendees the opportunity to learn more about CASA’s impact. This year’s keynote speaker is a former CASA youth who now serves as a volunteer, highlighting the program’s powerful, long‑term influence.

https://www.casajeffcogilpin.com/

Guest: Bill Ryan CEO and Andrew Menard kidney recipient and the manager of Team Rocky Mountain

The Transplant Games, held every two years, are the world’s largest celebration of life, uniting organ donors, recipients, donor families, healthcare professionals, and supporters to honor the life‑saving impact of organ donation. This year’s event is expected to be the largest yet, drawing more than 10,000 participants representing 43 teams from all 50 states. Over six days, attendees will take part in 20 Olympic‑style competitions for gold, silver, and bronze medals, showcasing the strength and resilience of living donors and transplant recipients. In Colorado alone, nearly 1,000 transplants were performed last year, yet more than 1,300 individuals remain on the waiting list. Andrew shared his personal story and his experience participating in the Games, which will be held June 18–23 at the Colorado Convention Center.

https://www.transplantgamesofamerica.org/2026-transplant-games

Guest: Suzanne Jones CEO

Summary: In Colorado residential recycling now involves 16-16.4% of homes. 67% of the materials recycled encompasses cardboard, paper, cans, etc. It is the harder to recycle materials such as mattresses, styrofoams, plastic bags, and electronics requiring special processes that prevents the rate from being higher. Eco-Cycle in partnership with the City of Boulder works to handle these hard to recycle materials.

Guest: Katherine Ruark Board Member

Runs4ALS is dedicated to raising funds that support the care, treatment, and essential expenses of individuals living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Their mission extends beyond those diagnosed, offering meaningful assistance to families and contributing to ongoing research efforts. SHIFTRUNS is an all-day community event built around a 20‑run challenge that can take place on any mountain, anywhere. In Vail, the tradition brings people together to ski and snowboard in honor and in memory of those who no longer can. After a day on the mountain, participants gather for an evening celebration featuring food, drinks, music, giveaways, and a silent auction. ALS is a progressive disease that affects the nerve cells responsible for movement, gradually impacting mobility, speech, and breathing, and currently has no cure. This year’s SHIFTRUNS event will take place on March 31st in partnership with Discover Vail.

https://runs4als.org/

Guest: Eileen Doherty Senior Answers Executive Director

An estimated 2.7 million children reside in households where grandparents are the primary caregivers being called “grandfamiles” or “kinship families.” Grandparents, family, friends, if you provided care for a child age five or under in Colorado, you could qualify for the new care worker tax credit – up to $1,200 filing single or $2,400 filing joint.

Guest: Michelle Sie Whitten Co-Founder, President, and the CEO

Down syndrome occurs when a person is born with three copies of chromosome 21, which is why World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation was created to ensure better health and longer lives for people with Down syndrome and has invested over $32 million to establish the first Down Syndrome Research Institute, supporting hundreds of scientists and thousands of patients. Despite progress, significant stigma, health disparities, and a shorter average lifespan—especially among Black and Hispanic individuals—remain. Although the DeOndra Dixon Include Project Act did not pass this year, advocacy continues. The Foundation will also host the free “I Love You” dance party on March 20 at Cherry Creek Mall for ages 16 and older, with optional donations encouraged.

https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/

Guest:  Sarah Beth Geber Presenter At The American Society On Aging National Conference

Summary: In Colorado, the poverty rate for older adult senior women is 10.8%. Much of this is due to economic disparities through their lives, caregiving responsibilities as more grandparents are caring for their grandchildren and senior women receive 69% less in Social Security benefits than men and 65% less retirement savings. 

Guest: Flavia Light, Vice President, Chief Tourism Development Officer at Visit Denver

Denver Restaurant Week runs March 6–15 and celebrates its 22nd year of showcasing Denver’s vibrant dining scene. With more than 330 participating restaurants, diners can enjoy multi‑course menus at fixed price points of $25, $35, $45, or $55. The event is held each March to support local restaurants during a slower tourism period, and early dinner times—around 4:30 or 5:00 p.m.—tend to have the best reservation availability. Guests are encouraged to book early and sign up for the Diner Portal to easily track past Restaurant Week visits.

DenverRestaurantWeek.com

Guest: Aman Ali Fazal Coordinator

Many older men have a challenge with staying socially connected as they age. This has led to a higher number experiencing isolation and suicides. Growing in Canada and in America, with a group in Colorado, the Men’s Sheds movement is becoming an important tool where men can positively strengthen their social connections while also doing community service.

https://usmenssheds.org/