BALTIMORE, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to serving the needs of adults 50+, RLTV is proud to offer an eye-opening 10-part series, "The Spirit of America" as part of its "Art of Living" programming.  "The Spirit of America," sponsored by Physicians Mutual, will premiere on Monday, March 7th at 9pm on RLTV.

In a time of discouragement and continuing strife, RLTV has found reasons to be proud of who we are. "The Spirit of America" showcases seniors who have approached retirement not as a finishing line, but as a starting post, finding ways of using their experience, their talents, and their hard-won wisdom to give their communities a brighter future while doing what they love best.   These are also stories about seniors doing the unexpected, taking on new challenges and facing the second half of life with a new attitude.  

Hosted by John Palmer, the former news anchor for The Today Show and a 40-year veteran journalist at NBC, "The Spirit of America" travels across the country to discover ordinary people doing extraordinary things or finding ways to turn their new freedom into an opportunity for starting a whole new life, one that is based on improving the lives of others.  We meet:

• Wilson Goode, former mayor of Philadelphia, who has created a mentoring program for children whose parents are in prison, instilling in them a sense of self-respect and self-worth, breaking the cycle of hopelessness.
• Bob Parkerson, a retired postal worker who shares his greatest passion by teaching disadvantaged kids and people with disabilities how to sail.
• Phylus Abubo, who returns to the classroom at the age of 70, not as a teacher, or even a student, but as a "Foster Grandma."  She works with teens who have gotten into trouble or merely gotten off-track. "Just because you made a bad choice doesn't mean that your life is over," she says.

" Get ready to be inspired. RLTV viewers from across the country wrote and called us to tell us about the people that inspired them, the people who made a difference, we have captured those stories; they make up the spirit of America," said Elliot Jacobson, SVP of Programming and Production for RLTV.  "The Spirit of America: An Art of Living Series" rethinks and redefines what retirement means to Americans. These are stories of people who have found renewed purpose in their lives as they give meaning and purpose to countless others who could easily have become lost. To paraphrase Emerson, to know one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to succeed. These are the true American success stories.

Following the premiere on Monday, March 7th at 9pm, "The Spirit of America: An Art of Living" series will be airing regularly on Thursdays at 8pm on RLTV.

Edmund Baxter is the Executive Producer of "The Spirit of America: An Art of Living" series.

About Physicians Mutual

Physicians Mutual Insurance Company and Physicians Life Insurance Company are members of the Physicians Mutual family. Physicians Mutual Insurance Company offers reliable Medicare Supplement, dental, supplemental health and long-term care insurance. Physicians Life Insurance Company provides important life insurance coverage and annuities. The companies have total assets exceeding $2.8 billion and consistently maintain some of the highest financial strength ratings in the nation from independent insurance analysts, including A.M. Best Company and Weiss Ratings. 

Founded in 1902, Physicians Mutual is headquartered in Omaha, Neb. To learn more about the company, please visit www.PhysiciansMutual.com. 

About Retirement Living TV

Retirement Living TV (RLTV) is the only cable network dedicated to serving the needs of adults 50+ with information and entertainment that inspires and enhances the perception of aging. The network has Emmy Award-winning programming that features a variety of genres that address a variety of subjects including health, finance, travel, reality, comedy, and drama. It is RLTV's vision to be the top television network, online destination, and media brand for adults 50+. For more information, log on to WWW.RL.TV.

SOURCE Retirement Living TV