What do doctors and scientists do in retirement? In this week’s episode, Betsy speaks with Bob Vesilis, a former anesthesiologist, about his art practice and how he transitioned from medicine to becoming an artist.

About the guest:

Bob Vesilis, a retired anesthesiologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, has returned to painting, collage, and piano playing in his retirement. His artistic work has evolved from more traditional, representational painting to a more abstract, intuitive approach, where he starts without a fixed plan and lets the work develop organically. Bob sees his artistic practice as a way to tap into his creativity and find new channels of self-expression, similar to how he found research and problem-solving in his medical work to be a creative outlet.

Resources:

The Failure Of Success Creativity Study, Dr. George Land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFD5UdGTOmw&t=70s

Do Schools Kill Creativity? Sir Ken Robinson, TED Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

Values: Building a Better World For All by Mark Carney: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61965810-values

Follow the show:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_creative_midlife/

Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com

Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com. Are you on your own artistic or creative journey? We want to know about you! Please contact us through the website. Dare to follow your muse!

I am thrilled to share my conversation with John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension. We talk about creative aging, Juilliard Extension, and how music and the performing arts can help us live more enriched lives.

John-Morgan advocates for the importance of lifelong engagement with the arts, explaining that older adults bring a unique depth of emotional experience to their creative pursuits. He highlights how arts participation can combat loneliness, provide a sense of agency and choice, and significantly enhance quality of life. He tells why the word “amateur” has been banned at the Extension and how they are working to bring these ideas to senior living communities.

About the guest:

John Morgan Bush is the Dean of Juilliard Extension. He is a professional classical musician (French horn) with extensive teaching experience, having worked with students ranging from 6 to 102 years old. He served as the Director of Learning and Learning Programs for the League of American Orchestras and previously taught at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Featured Show Music: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Performed by Purchase Symphony Orchestra, March 6, 2026.

Resources:

• Learn More About Juilliard Extension: https://www.juilliard.edu/stage-beyond/juilliard-extension
• Read US Surgeon General Report on Loneliness (2023): https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf?ueid=a6a91c99b86e9539783269cb1d6db6fe
• Can Art Therapies Become Public Policy? Learn from the Jameel Arts and Health Lab https://www.jameelartshealthlab.org/
• NYT Article on Amsterdam’s Singing Circle:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/arts/music/amsterdam-concertgebouw-singing-circle.html

• Connect with John-Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-morgan-bush/

Follow the show:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_creative_midlife/
Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com

Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com. Are you on your own artistic or creative journey? We want to know about you! Please contact us through the website. Dare to follow your muse!

When you watch a movie, do you ever wonder about the people in the background? What would it be like to work as an extra in the movie business and how do you get that work anyway?

In this episode, I talk with Deidre Michael, a former lawyer, about how she became a model and movie extra. It took Deidre following her curiosity to start this new phase of her life. What is something you are curious about, and where could that curiosity take you? Submit your story on my website contact form – https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com/contact.

Remember – it’s never too late to follow your muse!

Resources from the episode:

https://www.backstage.com/

Follow the show:
Instagram: https://bit.ly/4tL6rcp
Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com

Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com. Are you on your own artistic or creative journey? We want to know about you! Please contact us through the website. Dare to follow your muse!