EP 141 :: Sharing Dementia Stories for Better Understanding :: Frank Silverstein

Having a good story is nice, but it’s better when it’s told well. As someone who has told thousands of others’ stories over his long and successful career as a news producer, Frank Silverstein knows the power of good storytelling. And with his documentary film Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia he tells of his personal experience as a co-caregiver for his parents. It’s a moving tribute to his mom and dad. And it shows how telling stories of our experiences with a loved one with dementia can not only be touching, but also educational.

He came to MSNBC in 2006, as part of the start-up team on Your Business— a program devoted to small business entrepreneurship. He was there for the full 12 years of the show until its run ended in January 2019. During that time he produced profile segments, makeovers, half-hour remote specials, podcasts, social media video, and print reports. 

He co-authored the book: It's Your Business, published by Hachette. It was based on his own reporting and the work of my his colleagues at the show, JJ Ramberg and Lisa Everson. Much of his career was at ABC News, where he was on staff at 20/20, Primetime Live, and Day One. As an associate producer, he developed and produced reports for Robert Krulwich, John Hockenberry, Bob Brown, John Stossel, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, and others. He has also worked at CBS, CNN and CNBC, producing stories and investigative reports on business, the economy, politics, corruption, religion, medicine, and the military. Along the way he produced several independent documentaries, was an animator on Peewee's Playhouse, and began his career working for filmmaker William Greaves. He holds a master's degree in American History from Columbia University and a bachelor of arts degree from Yale. 

Learn more about Frank on his website and connect with Frank on LinkedIn.

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