ORLANDO (May 6, 2021) – “Growing Bolder” returns to public television just in time, bringing a much-needed tonic for a pandemic-weary TV audience. The seventh season debuts on public broadcasting stations nationwide, beginning May 8. The new season features 10 episodes chock full of optimism, with inspiring stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives, with fascinating insights from well-known celebrities. As always, the series aims to entertain while providing a spark to help people engage and live their best lives.
Award-winning hosts Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer are joined this season by a team of veteran storytellers, including former “Orlando Sentinel” reporter and author George Diaz; TV producer Laura Savini; TV veterans Amy Sweezey, former Broadcaster of the Year, and Secily Wilson, a two-time stroke survivor and motivational speaker.
“This has been one of the most challenging and heartbreaking years that any of us have lived through, but we’ve learned from the countless stories we’ve produced on ordinary people living extraordinary lives that there is always a way forward,” said Growing Bolder Founder and CEO, Marc Middleton, who also hosts and executive produces the show. “The Growing Bolder message is more relevant than ever, and this new season is more important than ever.”
“Growing Bolder” will air on stations nationwide, including in cities such as Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Knoxville, TN. Check local listings for your local public broadcasting station to get airtimes in your area. In Florida, you can catch “Growing Bolder” on the following stations:
Starting May 8:
WUCF/Orlando, Saturdays at 9:30 am
WGCU/Fort Myers/Naples, Saturdays at 2:30 pm
WUFT/Gainesville, Saturdays at 3 pm
WEDU/Tampa, Saturdays at 6:30 pm
JAX PBS/Jacksonville, Saturdays at 10 am
WXEL /South Florida PBS, Saturdays at 12:30 pm
WPBT/South Florida PBS, Sundays at 12 pm
Starting June 27:
WFSU/Tallahassee, Sundays at 11:30 am
WFSG/Panama City, Sundays at 11:30 am
Starting July:
WSRE/Pensacola, Saturdays at 3:30 pm
Starting August 14:
WDSC/Orlando, Saturdays at 6:30 pm
While Growing Bolder continues to defy stereotypes about aging, this season’s shows appeal to people of all ages who believe that it’s never too late to pursue your passions and dreams.
The episodes showcase those who found joy and positive life lessons during the pandemic in addition to hometown heroes, such as a woman who discovered her gift for poetry to heal and a man who found cycling has led to his healthiest, most social self ever.
Season Seven includes interviews with Kim Campbell, wife of music legend Glen Campbell; rock photographer Henry Diltz; fitness guru Denise Austin and public TV hosts Rick Steves and Les Stroud.
Growing Bolder enjoys a loyal following that includes more than 850,000 Facebook followers and 300 million impressions annually across its multimedia platforms. There’s never been a series like Season Seven, because there’s never been a time like the one in which we live. Health, fitness, inspiration, practical tips and celebrity interviews. Season Seven has it all.
“Growing Bolder” is available through American Public Television and its presenting station is WUCF in Orlando.
About Growing Bolder. Growing Bolder is a multimedia company based in Orlando, Florida. The company, founded by Emmy-winner Marc Middleton in 2007, includes a TV program carried nationally on PBS stations, a radio program on NPR affiliates, a podcast and a popular lifestyle magazine. More at www.growingbolder.com.
About American Public Television. American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and more than one-third of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the United States. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, dramas, how-to programs, classic movies, children’s series and news and current affairs programs. “Doc Martin,” “Midsomer Murders,” “America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated,” “AfroPoP, Rick Steves’ Europe,” “Pacific Heartbeat,” “Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television,” “Legacy List with Matt Paxton,” “Lidia’s Kitchen,” “Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen,” “Simply Ming,” “The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross,” “Live From the Artists’ Den,” “James Patterson’s Kid Stew” and “NHK Newsline” are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.
