The Wise Pod

From being discovered at Saks Fifth Avenue at just 12 years old to navigating the New York modeling scene, Patti George’s life has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, she shares shocking stories from her high-fashion days and reflects on her 23-year career with Estée Lauder. Now thriving in her senior community, Patty offers beautiful, witty insights on family, coping with loss, and findi...

From watching Bob Gibson from the bleachers to navigating a 55-year marriage, South City native Mike Valent shares a lifetime of St. Louis history and wisdom. This episode explores the rebuilding seasons of baseball, business, and family. Ultimately, Mike offers a timeless, powerful reminder for the younger generation: no matter the hardship, there is always tomorrow. Follow us on social media! In...

The 1960s shattered America’s post-war innocence through war, assassination, and civic betrayal. In this episode, G. Gay Harris shares her firsthand experiences from the eye of that cultural hurricane—including JFK's assassination and the Kent State shootings—revealing how a generation used Midwest grit to survive the chaos. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share! Follow us...

In this episode, we sit down with 90-year-old chemist Norm Jamieson for a beautifully nostalgic journey across three countries. Born in Scotland in 1935, Norm shares vivid memories of growing up during WWII—from rationed candy and coal-fired winters to the class dynamics of schoolyard sports. Follow us on social media! Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_wisepod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thewis...

In this episode, we sit down with Marilyn King for a beautiful, funny, and deeply inspiring trip through the last century. From collecting scrap metal in the alleys of South St. Louis during World War II to saving a state park, Marilyn shares what it was like to live through some of America’s most transformative decades. Follow us on social media! Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_wisepod TikTo...

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." — Mark Twain. In this deeply moving interview, Eric Baho to explore an incredible 86-year life journey spanning three continents, three distinct cultures, and some of the most defining moments of modern history. From surviving the bombardment of colonial Damascus as a child to working on the heat tiles for NASA’s space shuttle, Eric s...

At 99 years old, World War II veteran Harold Maness is living proof that age is truly just a number. In this episode, Harold takes us on a journey from his small-town Tennessee roots during the Great Depression to the historic aftermath of WWII in Okinawa, and ultimately, to his secret second life as a late-in-life pickleball champion, skydiver, and solo world traveler. Special thanks to Evertrue...

In this episode, we sit down with retired science and math teacher Anna Belveal. From growing up with a fiercely independent father to being on the front lines of school desegregation, Anna has seen human nature at its best and its most challenging. Special thanks to Evertrue for hosting this conversation! Follow us on social media! Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_wisepod TikTok: https://tikt...

At 95 years old, Art Stauder has witnessed nearly a century of history—from the depths of the Great Depression to the birth of the digital age. In this episode, Art shares his journey as a third-generation architect, his 15 years of service with Habitat for Humanity, and how he reinvented himself as a successful painter at the age of 70. Support Art and his work here! https://arthur-stauder.pixels...