Crow's Feet: Life As We Age

Send us Fan Mail We all have dreams in our lives. Some are realized quickly, and some (alas) don’t happen. Then there are ones that just take a bit longer — and a lot of work — to come to fruition. For Jan M. Flynn, her dream of publishing a novel with a major company (Disney-Hyperion) has at last come true. Griffin Speaker , the first book in a middle-grade fantasy series, was released in early M...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Crow’s Feet , Melinda Blau sits down with Kathryn Grody —Obie-winning actor, writer, and creator of the hit solo show “The Unexpected Third” —for a funny, deeply human conversation about what it really means to grow older, not “old.” From being dismissed as “just staying home having fun” as a young mother to becoming an almost-80-year-old “overnight sensation,”...

Send us Fan Mail Heartfelt expressions from two Crows Feet writers, both of them Dads, on the occasion of Fathers Day. Poignant reminders to relish the past, savor the present and prepare to pass the torch on to new generations. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Daryl Roth isn’t just a Broadway Producer: She’s a force to be reckoned with. She produced her first play when she was in her 40s with no previous producing experience and has since produced over 120 Broadway and Off-Broadway plays and musicals, including August Osage County , Proof, Wit, The Normal Heart, Sunset Boulevard, A Raisin in the Sun, The Year of Magical Thinking , and K...

Send us Fan Mail This special Crow’s Feet Extra is an except from our interview with acclaimed writer and actor Kathryn Grody. Now 79, Kathryn is also a social media influencer, thanks to the wildly popular Instagram account she shares with her husband, Mandy Patinkin, and their son Gideon. Here, Kathryn offers an intimate reflection on the death of her younger brother, Yukon. With warmth, candor,...

Send us Fan Mail Our episode today is on AI, focused on how the senior community can best take advantage of it. The good news is that AI is here and available to everybody. The better news is that AI is improving daily. Thus, by the time you listen to this episode, there have been more improvements in how AI responds to questions, prompts, and user-input challenges. Our episode is an interview wit...

Send us Fan Mail Is it possible to “breathe one’s last”  without regrets, big or small?  Best-selling author and behavioral change expert Karen Salmansohn thinks so. Her latest book, Your To Die for Life: How to maximize joy and minimize regret before your time runs out , offers some ideas and protocols that just might do the trick.  Join podcast host Jane Trombley and Karen as they discuss the bo...

Send us Fan Mail Author/Crow’s Feet contributor Conni Walkup shares her poignant essay about cherishing — and losing — our lifelong relationships. Have you been meaning to call that old friend or family member? Conni reminds us to seize the day. For more from Conni on Medium (under the byline Conni Walkup Hull), go here . Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In her 76 years, Jean Feldeisen’s done so many different things so well, it’s almost hard to imagine: philosophy student, social worker, virtuoso pianist, first-class cook and caterer, psychotherapist, writer, and now, poet. She’s also seen her share of triumph and tragedy, good times and bad. In her latest book of poetry, South Jersey Sand , Jean’s work spans generations, a vast...

Send us Fan Mail Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with journalist Randall H. Duckett, author of Chronic Pain Chronicles: insightful and inspiring stories of resolve, resilience, and relief, a book that offers realistic hope and help to the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who endure long-lasting hurt — and who, far too often, also endure delays, obstacles, and stigma in getting their...

Send us Fan Mail Is this another day of just not giving a you-know-what? Getting older can zap your zest for life, as dopamine — your "Whoo-Hoo!" brain chemical — diminishes over time. In this episode, health and fitness writer Linda Melone gives you ten ways to get your mojo back (most without breaking a sweat). For more energizing ideas about fitness and life, check out Linda's co...

Send us Fan Mail The 6 Pak Band is a seven‑piece, high‑energy, all‑female rock and roll group bringing the best hits from the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond to life. Their mission is simple: keep the crowd dancing, singing, and smiling from the first note to the last. Originally formed in 1967, the band reunited thirteen years ago, blending original members with a few new faces. They’ve been rocking Weste...

Send us Fan Mail Here's Eric V. Martin reminiscing about his not-so-good old days in Little League, yet with a fondness that's grown over the years. If you'd like to read along, click the  link to Eric's story on Medium's Crows Feet channel. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail June Squibb has been performing for more than six decades—and shows no signs of slowing down. In this conversation with Melinda Blau, she reflects on late-life success, her approach to acting, and what still surprises her about aging. Squibb also talks about her 40-year marriage to her late husband and shares news of upcoming projects. Producer/Host Melinda Blau Website/blog On Me...

Send us Fan Mail Mariann Aalda is an American actress, a performance artist, a stand-up comedian, and an age-full evangelist. You may know her from old ABC soap operas like Edge of Night or, from street theater in New York City, from shows like Designing Women or The Bay , or a host of commercials. Mariann is a 50 year member of the Actors’ Guild and has not only witnessed but been an important vo...

Send us Fan Mail A Crows Feet Life As We Age Extra featuring Patricia Ross (87, psychotherapist, still working and author of "From There to Here: An Alphabet Memoir" and "From Here to Beyond.”) Here’s Patricia reading her Crows Feet article “Why Shame?” or the embarrassment of looking old. And a link to the story in case you’d like to read along with her narration. Hear Patricia Ros...

Send us Fan Mail Right in time for Valentine's Day gift-giving, The Turquoise Butterfly is Dr. Atkins' sensitive, heartwarming portrayal of the role a grandparent can play in a young one's life — from helping them overcome anxiety to facing loss, while transforming into the version of themselves they dream of becoming. It's a great opportunity to share by reading aloud to any y...

Send us Fan Mail After more than 20 surgeries for skin cancer, avid sailor and Wall Street Journal reporter John Koten had had enough. There had to be something he could do to start taking better care of his skin. That started John’s “Great Skincare Experiment.” Under the direction of a dermatologist, John went on a six-month journey, experimenting with top-rated skincare products and interviewing...

Send us Fan Mail “Gender was to the 20th century what age will be to the 21st: a massive demographic and societal shift that changes… everything.” – Avivah Wittenberg-Cox In this episode, international thought leader, author, speaker, corporate consultant, and life coach Avivah Wittenberg-Cox reveals the importance of “rebranding” aging: How demographic shifts, the rise of older adults, and an agi...

Send us Fan Mail See if your New Year resolutions and reflections  are in sync with your friends at Crows Feet in this special bonus episode. And with it, our best wishes for brighter days and new adventures ahead. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail “Part of what I found were cultural norms that view the second half of life as being as important and even more important than the first half of life, in terms of what you can do for yourself and for society,“ said Ken Stern, in conversation with host Jane Trombley. Ken, author of Healthy to 100: How Strong Ties Lead to Long Lives (link in notes, below) explored the “culture of lo...

Send us Fan Mail Crime Reporter Michael Wilson of The New York Times joins us to share how he narrowly avoided losing thousands of dollars to an online scam. Seniors over 60 are targeted more often than any other age group, making his story both timely and essential. In this episode, Michael explains the red flags he spotted, how scams are evolving, and what you can do to protect yourself. A must‑...

Send us Fan Mail We’re coming upon the season of giving — the period when Americans’ generosity pours forth. According to Charity Engine, about one-third of the $590 billion given to charity each year occurs in December. In this episode, Crows Feet explores an innovative charitable giving platform, Giving Multiplier .  It combines heartfelt, personal donations with making it far easier to have an...

Send us Fan Mail Rear Admiral Sandy Adams, USN, Ret., served 34 years in the U.S. Navy, leading both active duty and reserve units across global theaters. She commanded five Navy Reserve units, deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, and advised Afghan defense leaders during Operation Enduring Freedom. Her final role was Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, overseeing 1...

Send us Fan Mail Try looking at any familiar object — say, a chair — and then drawing it freehand. Now, turn the chair sideways and draw it again. Chances are the second drawing, once you turn it right side up again, is fresher and more accurate. It's free of the baked-in assumptions you have about the whole concept of "chair." What if we could do the same thing with aging? That cre...