By Steve Potash, President & CEO of OverDrive, Inc.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, I am proud to call this city my home. From checking out a book at the world-renowned Cleveland Public Library to marveling at the holiday displays at the Terminal Tower, I have been surrounded by Cleveland’s rich history throughout my life. But it was not until later that I discovered one family whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of the institutions that have made this city—the Ratner family.

The Ratner family is synonymous with the city of Cleveland. Through Forest City Enterprises, they not only reshaped the skyline of Cleveland, but left a lasting impact on cities across the U.S.

I had the incredible opportunity to interview a key figure from this legendary family—a business icon and the Co-Chairman Emeritus of Forest City Enterprises—who is on a new mission in life. This time, instead of transforming city landscapes, he is transforming people’s health. His groundbreaking book, The Great Age Reboot, unveils how we can live longer, younger, and better—and he is the living proof.

At 96 years old, Albert Ratner is vibrant, sharp, and full of humor. With healthy habits and a zest for life, he is showing all of us how to live to the fullest and he is ready to share his secrets.

Listen to my interview with the Cleveland icon, Albert Ratner, along with Bruce Ratner and Dr. Michael F. Roizen, as they discuss the Ratner family’s history in Cleveland and the transformative potential of their recent books.

The story of Forest City: How an immigrant family changed a community and beyond

Many Clevelanders know the city’s long-standing nickname: The Forest City. It dates to 1920, when Jewish immigrant Charlie Ratner fled Poland and started a lumber business in Cleveland, fittingly named Forest City Material. This venture marked the beginning of nearly a century of remarkable corporate success, community leadership, and philanthropy that stretched from Ohio to major metropolitan areas across the U.S.

As the company thrived, it evolved, becoming one of the nation's first firms to manufacture prefabricated homes. It later grew into Forest City Enterprises, a real-estate powerhouse known for revitalizing landmarks like Cleveland's historic Terminal Tower, transforming it into a massive urban renewal project.

Forest City’s influence spread nationwide, with projects like New York’s Barclays Center, the New York Times headquarters in Times Square, University Park at MIT, and Central Station in Chicago. Despite their monumental business success, the Ratner family remained committed to philanthropy, supporting healthcare, education, and social service initiatives. When asked what fueled their efforts, the Ratners credit their upbringing and a core tenet of their faith: Tikkun Olam or “repair the world.”

Repairing the world, one book at a time

After spending his life growing Cleveland’s legacy, Albert Ratner has found a new way to give back. “We’re on a mission to help people understand their health is in their hands,” he says.

For the economist, exploring how longer life spans will change our lives and our culture has been a passion project as evidenced in The Great Age Reboot. With the help of Dr. Michael Roizen’s acclaimed research, the book empowers people to take charge of their own health and well-being.

And at 96, with his quick wit and humor, Albert’s proof of how these minor changes—eating less, sleeping more, and having a posse—can improve your quality of life and help you live longer.

He started incorporating these habits into his routine at 93, proving it is never too late to get started. “Everyone can do better at any age. And it is not to make you miserable,” he jokes. “It is to make your everyday life more enjoyable. Do not go in with fear. Go in with joy.”

“We’re on a mission to help people understand their health is in their hands.” - Albert Ratner

As for Albert’s cousin, Bruce Ratner, cancer is personal. After losing his older brother to metastatic cancer, Bruce dove into research to better understand the disease. When his mother and other close family members also passed away from cancer, prevention became a passion.

When Bruce was five years old, his grandmother died of cancer, and he recalls thinking as a child, “By the time I’m old, there will probably be a cure.” Unfortunately, we are still not there yet. But with his findings in Early Detection: Catching Cancer When It's Curable, we are getting closer to the single best way to fight the disease that remains the second-leading cause of death globally.

Bruce explains how our healthcare system has prioritized late-stage treatment, when a greater emphasis on prevention could not only save lives but also reduce economic strain. A healthier society benefits everyone.

Both books offer practical advice, backed by innovative research, on how to extend your years and the life in those years. They also highlight the incredible advancements in healthcare technology, including AI's emerging role in early cancer detection and risk assessment.

Meet the authors

Albert Ratner is a distinguished American businessperson, philanthropist, and co-author of The Great Age Reboot. A visionary leader, Albert played a pivotal role in transforming his family’s company, Forest City Enterprises, into a national real-estate powerhouse, known for projects like Cleveland’s Terminal Tower and New York’s Barclays Center. His career spans decades of innovation, economic development, and urban revitalization across the U.S. Beyond his business acumen, Albert is a passionate advocate for healthcare and longevity research, exemplified in his work exploring how science and technology can help people live longer, healthier lives. At 96 years old, Albert remains a vibrant figure, dedicated to both his philanthropic efforts and empowering others to take charge of their health and well-being.

Bruce Ratner has led an eclectic life. After focusing much of his undergraduate coursework on math, biology, and physics, he started his career in law and public service as an assistant professor at New York University Law School and Commissioner of Consumer Affairs under Mayor Ed Koch. In his late 30s, he moved into real estate, becoming one of the city’s largest developers. In 2016, Ratner’s brother, Michael, died of metastatic cancer. Through this tragedy, Ratner came to realize that early detection was the key to reducing cancer mortality. Following his brother’s death, he founded a non-profit, the Michael D. Ratner Center for Early Detection of Cancer, to research and promote better cancer screening. He is on the boards of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical Center, and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Dr. Michael F. Roizen is a renowned physician, author, and longevity expert, best known for his pioneering work in preventive health and wellness. As the co-author of The Great Age Reboot, Dr. Roizen explores the latest breakthroughs in science and technology that are set to revolutionize how we age, helping people live longer, healthier lives. He serves as the Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic, where he has been instrumental in developing programs to improve patient health through lifestyle changes. Dr. Roizen has authored multiple bestsellers, including RealAge and YOU: The Owner's Manual, and is a trusted voice in medical media. His passion for empowering individuals to control their health has made him a leading figure in longevity research.

Borrow from your library

Boost your health literacy by visiting your local library and borrow these insightful ebooks and audiobooks. No matter your age—whether you are 20 or 90—you can take control of your health.

Available now on the Libby app:

• The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow by Dr. Michael F. Roizen with Peter Linneman and Albert Ratner
  🎧 Audiobook
• Early Detection: Catching Cancer When It’s Curable by Bruce Ratner and Adam Bonislawski
  🎧 Audiobook