My Better Half

How Julie Anderson Bailey's art reflects the cycle of life 15.06.2026 14:30 ↓

Roseburg artist Julie Anderson Bailey shares how her "Biology Rising Series" helped her navigate grief after the loss of loved ones and why creating and experiencing art fosters human connection.

Living, loving, learning: Natasha Neece writes about her journey as a vocalist 23.05.2026 15:00 ↓

The 58-year-old singer just released a memoir on her experiences with Living Loving Led, a Led Zeppelin tribute band. The book release party for "Rise Up and Rock: A Front Woman's Journey" is set for May 23, 7-10pm at White Rabbit in Ashland.

Why the fitness industry may be missing the point of health 30.01.2026 30:49 ↓

Author Dave Young is the program director at Jefferson Public Radio. He shares with Vanessa Finney insights from his personal journey through the world of fitness.

'Aging While Black' amplifies experiences of elderly Black Americans 19.12.2025 14:59 ↓

Raymond Jetson and Kali Graves launched 'Aging While Black' in February 2023.

Managing loss with creativity 26.11.2025 14:30 ↓

Artist Julie Anderson Bailey shares how creating art has helped her through sad and anxious times.

Lifelong artist returns to first love 17.10.2025 15:10 ↓

Pam Haunschild rose to the top of her profession, teaching organizational theory at the business schools at Stanford and Texas-Austin. Now she's creating art on a regular basis, finding the joy in returning to an old love. Pam is the focus of the latest chapter of My Better Half.

Menopause The Musical 2 sails into Medford Oct 11 26.09.2025 15:23 ↓

Two performers from the show, Teri Adams and Mary-Louise Lee, join My Better Half host Vanessa Finney.

From advertising executive to healthcare activist: A "reckoning of the soul" 20.06.2025 14:28 ↓

My Better Half host Vanessa Finney visits with Kate Grant.

Woman of tenacity applies herself to flying planes, then perfecting sourdough 13.06.2025 36:45 ↓

After 25 years in the sky, pilot starts baking business for more time with her kids.

Vanessa Finney's essay on older residents thriving published by Oregon Humanities magazine 06.06.2025 14:25 ↓

Vanessa visits with anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite.

'Encore: A High Achiever's Guide to Thriving in Retirement' 18.04.2025 14:30 ↓

Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons talks about her new book with Vanessa Finney.

Debra Whitman on age-friendly cities in Oregon 07.03.2025 14:30 ↓

JPR's Vanessa Finney talks with AARP's Chief Public Policy Officer and author of "The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond."

Renee Montagne steps away from the mic and into the unknown 07.02.2025 14:26 ↓

The long-time NPR host looks back on her career with JPR's Vanessa Finney.

Managing Loss With Creativity 31.01.2025 14:30 ↓

Artist Julie Anderson Bailey shares how creating art has helped her through sad and anxious times.

Love after 50 24.10.2024 14:27 ↓

Host Vanessa Finney explores the intricacies of finding (and keeping) love after age 50 with the author of "Love After 50."

Step. Think. Repeat. An 80-year-old woman's 800-mile-long project 27.09.2024 14:42 ↓

Vanessa Finney, host of My Better Half, interviews a life adventurer.

Ninety-three year-old sprinter from Ashland encourages everyone to get out and move 02.08.2024 14:28 ↓

Sprinter, Roy Sutton is promoting the idea of a 150+ club, where people of all ages recognize fitness values in each other around town.

Doctor, doctor, give me the grapes 12.07.2024 14:40 ↓

Medford doctor's vineyard.

Picking up barbells (many times) in middle age 16.06.2024 14:25 ↓

Cathleen Calkins is a state record holder in competitive weightlifting.

My Better Half: Founder of the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation 17.05.2024 14:25 ↓

For decades, Humboldt County humanitarian Betty Kwan Chinn has helped community members suffering from homelessness, and mental health and substance abuse issues.

How a fashion-conscious woman landed a modeling contract in her 60s 29.03.2024 28:28 ↓

Lyn Slater's blog and Instagram presence, and now to a book, How to Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon.

Wellness for the member of the family that can't say the term (woof!) 23.02.2024 14:36 ↓

Billie Jo Vinson about health for people, health for animals, and how things came together in a store for pets and their people.

It's okay to be gray: deep thoughts on deep-seated ageism in society 12.01.2024 14:47 ↓

Ashton Applewhite on ageism.

What makes a person open a cooking school late in life, and what makes a muffin cosmic 10.11.2023 14:38 ↓

Deborah Costella, dancer turned chef turned Cosmic Muffin School of Cookery business owner.

My Better Half profiles a provider of sight and sound for film projects 20.10.2023 14:41 ↓

A lifelong musician, Antonio Melendez conducted his first orchestra while in his forties.