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Susie Singer Carter and Don PriessSTEPHANIE DUNCAN‐PETERS & RICHARD JAMES:Life After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis & the Blue-Footed Booby Blues

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1. STEPHANIE DUNCAN‐PETERS & RICHARD JAMES:Life After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis & the Blue-Footed Booby Blues Susie Singer Carter and Don Priess 41:42

What happens when a former federal judge faces an Alzheimer's diagnosis? For Stephanie Duncan-Peters and her husband Richard James, it becomes an opportunity to showcase remarkable resilience, joy, and a refreshing perspective on living with cognitive change.

In Episode 105,  Don and I have a deeply moving and uplifting conversation with Stephanie, whose impressive career spans nearly 20 years as a District of Columbia Superior Court judge appointed by President George H.W. Bush. 

Far from letting her diagnosis define her, Stephanie has recently published a children's book, “The Blue-Footed Booby Blues,” about a dancing bird who loves to Travel—mirroring her own passions.

The couple shares how they met through dance lessons 12 years ago and continue to dance together today, demonstrating how activities that build “cognitive reserve” can remain accessible and joyful despite Alzheimer's. Their calm, matter-of-fact approach to the diagnosis stems partly from Stephanie's previous experience supporting a Harvard Law professor friend through his Alzheimer's journey.

We explore fascinating concepts like cognitive reserve—how certain skills and passions often persist longer in people with dementia—and the way Alzheimer's can paradoxically create what host I call “the ultimate state of Zen,” fostering heightened presence and appreciation for the now.

Richard offers valuable insights from the care partner perspective, discussing how unexpected connections in his community led to crucial support resources. Their story beautifully illustrates how love, resilience, and maintaining meaningful activities create a fulfilling life even when facing significant health challenges.

Whether you're navigating dementia in your own family or simply seeking inspiration on facing life's unexpected turns with grace, this conversation will leave you with renewed hope and practical Wisdom for the journey ahead. Listen now and discover how, as the podcast name suggests, Love truly Conquers Alz. 🙂 

Much Love,

Susie

Connect with Stephanie and Richard through Kayla Mancuso – kayla@ballastbooks.com 

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Susie Singer Carter Love Conquers Alz Podcast

Susie Singer Carter is a multi-award-winning writer, director, producer, actor, podcast producer, and host. A versatile filmmaker, Susie is best known for writing, directing, and producing the 2018 Oscar Qualified short film, MY MOM AND THE GIRL starring Valerie, writing and producing BRATZ THE MOVIE for Lionsgate, and co-producing SOUL SURFER for Sony. During a 3-script blind deal at Fox TV, Susie wrote, produced, and directed SURVIVING HAWKING, an adult animated pilot starring Brian Cranston and Adam Brody.

In the spring of 2024, Susie will direct the screenplay, RUN, a dramedy that she adapted from the book PLAIN JANE. Ms. Singer Carter also produces and hosts the podcast LOVE CONQUERS ALZ (BEST PODCAST 2020 New Media Film Festival/#4 on Feedspots’ 2023 25 Best Alzheimer’s Podcasts). Susie is also the co-creator, co-writer, and director of the horror/comedy narrative podcast I LOVE LUCIFER nominated for Best Audio Fiction 2023 Indie Series Awards.

Currently, Susie is producing the docu-series, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE, critically needed documentary inspired award-winning filmmaker, Susie Singer Carter's (Oscar Qualified “My Mom and The Girl” starring Valerie Harper, Soul Surfer) experience tackling the front lines of our broken Long Term Care/Nursing Home System while caring for her beloved mother who, despite best efforts, died July 17, 2022 from what was inarguably egregious nursing home neglect and abuse.

Susie really understands the power of storytelling. This film promises to pack a much-needed gut punch that will force the public to look at our health-care system that is literally collapsing around us. Susie has partnered with former US Prosecutor and Attorney General, Rick Mountcastle (portrayed in the Hulu miniseries, “DOPESICK”), who spent years investigating and prosecuting nursing homes chains for fraud. She has attracted an impressive list of the most respected and staunch advocates to contribute to the film. She and her partners are currently raising the remainder of the budget to finish the project. They are fiscally sponsored by The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care which provides them a 501(c)(3) status. Tax-deductible donations can be made here: http://act.theconsumervoice.org/documentary

Susie is a sought-after speaker and has appeared in many Alzheimer’s awareness campaigns for Alzheimer’s Los Angeles. She proudly emceed the 2022 San Fernando Valley Alzheimer's Walk and hosts the WGA’s 3rd & Fairfax Podcast.