Aging ain't for Sissies

Send us Fan Mail What if the fastest way to feel better isn’t faster at all? On a solo drive from Chicago to Flagstaff along Route 66, I kept catching myself trying to beat the ETA, race the clock, and turn every mile into a metric. Then the open road—and a few ridiculous roadside stops—reminded me: you don’t get extra points for arriving early, you just get more tired. So I tested a different rul...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel the pressure to reinvent yourself by February? We’re choosing a better path. After a year marked by cancer and stacked medical emergencies, I’m done proving and ready to design a year that actually fits: slower travel, calmer mornings, kinder boundaries, and choices that honor energy, not ego. This isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about becoming more of who you alr...

Send us Fan Mail Forget the pressure to reinvent yourself. We’re starting the year by choosing relief over resolutions and building a life that feels lighter, calmer, and more honest. I share a comfort-first plan for a six-week road trip—smart hotel picks, slower pacing, and the joy of clean bathrooms—and use it as a lens for unpacking emotional luggage. From gummy bears to good coffee, the practi...

Send us Fan Mail Resolutions feel like a trap when life is already full. This conversation offers a gentler, braver path: set intentions that match your energy, honor your season, and still move you forward. Fresh off a joyful, busy holiday and looking ahead to a milestone 65th birthday, we talk candidly about aging, boundaries, and what it means to spend time like the precious resource it is. We...

Send us Fan Mail What if getting older made life simpler, not smaller? That’s the thread we follow as we move from Chicago’s weather whiplash to the quiet freedoms that come with age: flexible plans, honest rest, and the courage to let the map change without calling it failure. We talk candidly about health—finding a cancer lump in a dream, doing workouts through chemo, managing a rare connective...

Send us Fan Mail The small things got louder: the grunt when we stand, the menu we can’t read, the shoulder that protests a perfectly innocent night of sleep. I wanted to untangle those moments with honesty and humor, then offer tools that actually help. We start with the floor—why getting up turns into a negotiation with nearby furniture—and land on the big culprit: muscle loss. From there, I sha...

Send us Fan Mail The snow is piling up, the sun ducks between skyscrapers, and we’re choosing warmth the easy way: small sparks that actually stick. Instead of white‑knuckle resolutions, we map out 54 tiny, feel‑good changes that make 2026 brighter without draining your energy or your wallet. From the emotional comfort of a beloved movie to the joy of a shower playlist you actually sing along to,...

Send us Fan Mail Forget the glossy brochure version of retirement. We get honest about what happens when the calendar opens up, the title falls away, and the to-do list is yours to write. From late drops and real-life health worries to the small rituals that keep a day anchored, we map how freedom and responsibility can live side by side without burning you out. I share the unedited arc: decades o...

Send us Fan Mail A blizzard, a burst of seventy degrees, and a brush with the northern lights set the perfect backdrop for a truth we don’t hear enough: solo doesn’t have to mean sad. I’m unpacking what aging solo actually looks like—across divorce, widowhood, never marrying, and reinvention—and why autonomy can be a superpower when you pair it with planning, community, and a little mischief. We d...

Send us Fan Mail Holiday lights are on, travel is messy, and family dynamics are about to get real. We’re choosing connection over perfection and sharing the exact moves that turn “creepy elder energy” into warm, genuine bonds with the kids and teens who make these gatherings worth it. No guilt, no lectures—just practical ways to show up as the grown‑up they actually want to sit next to. We break...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine paying top dollar for a tool that could save you time, money, and stress—and then using it like a coffee warmer. That’s how many of us treat our iPhones. Fresh off a trip to Ireland, I’m sharing the simple, real-world features that turn a $2,000 device into a trusted daily companion instead of a fancy texting machine. We start with the camera’s hidden talents: identify pla...

Send us Fan Mail Enjoy this best-of episode while I'm touring Ireland. Ever thought of your local library as a life-hack headquarters? We start with a raw, moving reflection on the gift of aging—how wrinkles mark joy, gray hair signals wisdom, and time itself is the rarest present—then swing into a lively tour of how libraries have reinvented themselves to meet real needs. From staying connec...

Send us Fan Mail I'm on vacation, so enjoy this best of episode! Ready to travel on your terms, not your twenty-something pace? We’re diving into how to wander well as we age—trading frantic itineraries for smarter planning, softer landings, and richer memories. From airport wheelchair services that take the strain off long terminals to choosing walkable cities and central stays, we break dow...

Send us Fan Mail Dinner doesn’t need a crowd to feel good. We dig into the real challenge of cooking for two (or one): old habits that make too much food, too many leftovers, and a crisper full of regret. With a few smart tools and a calmer plan, small-batch cooking becomes faster, fresher, and way more fun. We start with the gear that actually makes a difference in a compact kitchen—small air fry...

Send us Fan Mail Sunscreen on cloudy days, hydration that actually shows, and a routine you’ll still follow next month—this conversation keeps anti-aging honest, affordable, and doable. We swap guilt for a recovery plan, especially for those of us who survived baby oil summers and now want real results without the noise. I walk through dermatologist-backed basics that make the biggest difference:...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about retirement planning? Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a candid conversation that goes far beyond the typical financial advice. Retirement isn't just about quitting work—it's about intentionally designing the next chapter of your life. Whether retirement is decades away or just around the corner, this episode of...

Send us Fan Mail Tired of complicated health advice that's impossible to maintain? What if protecting your brain health was as simple as taking a five-minute walk after dinner or spending 40 seconds looking at nature? The latest research reveals that "micro habits" – tiny actions requiring minimal time and effort – can create powerful, lasting impacts on cognitive function when prac...

Send us Fan Mail Remember when libraries were just about books and stern-faced librarians? Those days are long gone! Today's libraries have undergone a remarkable transformation into vibrant community hubs offering a treasure trove of free resources that would make even the most frugal among us do a double-take. In this eye-opening episode, we explore the surprising evolution of modern librar...

Send us Fan Mail Remember when phones had cords that tethered us to kitchen walls? When you'd dramatically slam a receiver down to end an unwanted call? Those days are long gone, replaced by pocket-sized computers that have fundamentally transformed how we navigate the world—especially for seniors. Smartphones have quietly revolutionized aging, offering unprecedented tools for independence, h...

Send us Fan Mail We dive into the confusing world of supplements, examining what actually works for aging bodies and what might just be expensive urine producers. • Exploring the trendy mushroom coffee phenomenon and its claimed benefits for focus, stress reduction, and immunity • Multivitamins serve as general nutritional insurance but may not address specific needs • Calcium supplements are inef...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to keep that gorgeous brain of yours in ship shape? Aging doesn't mean your learning days are behind you—in fact, they might just be getting started!  We're diving into the world of free and affordable online education specifically designed for seniors and retirees. From the comfort of your favorite chair (pajamas optional but recommended), you can access courses f...

Send us Fan Mail What if I told you that at 64, the best financial advice isn't about saving more money, but actually spending it? Join me as we explore a viral wisdom list that's packed with uncomfortable truths about aging, money, and letting go of the need to control everything around us. We tackle the tough questions that many seniors face: when to stop hoarding pennies like we'...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to add years to your life while having fun? This episode delivers the surprising science behind volunteering as a health intervention. Forget expensive supplements—research shows that dedicating just two hours weekly to volunteering lowers blood pressure, fights depression, and literally extends your lifespan. This isn't wishful thinking; it's science. Discovering...

Send us Fan Mail Facing down Medicare enrollment can feel like trying to solve a puzzle in another language. I've been getting bombarded with Medicare Advantage plan offers as my 65th birthday approaches, and I know I'm not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the options. That's why I invited Medicare expert Nita Wenrick (the Medicare Diva) to cut through the confusion and give us the s...

Send us Fan Mail Decluttering isn't just about creating space—it's about leaving the right legacy. Welcome to a candid exploration of Swedish Death Cleaning, the surprisingly uplifting practice of methodically clearing out your possessions before others have to do it while grieving your loss. Fresh from completing cancer treatment and finding my new normal, I dive into this concept that...