Not Born Yesterday

We always talk honestly about the realities of aging, and today's episode is on a topic most people avoid: planning a funeral.  Our guest, Sara Williams of the Funeral Consumers Alliance, discusses the difficult emotions but financially important decisions that should be made  before  the crisis moment.  Brought to you by NEXTVillageSF.org NEXT Village SF is a neighborhood nonprofit providing serv...

Retirement can be a great journey as you achieve your postponed dreams, push your limits and rewire your brain for your next adventure. Life coach, Cyn Meyer, author of The Rewire Retirement Method, talks with us about unlocking a fulfilling retirement style while overcoming the "shoulds" of past retirements and beginning the next  exciting chapter of your life. Even if you are already retired, yo...

As longevity becomes the hottest topic in aging, we can now access research that will help us live a happier and longer life. Our guest, Maddy Dychtwald, has written Ageless Aging, an action plan for accessing measures that enhance the aging process. Her advice on exercise, sleep, food and wearables is that longevity is under your control, so tune in and use all the tools available as we grow olde...

Today we are talking with older women who are reacting to the climate crisis. Called 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations, they support the rights and communities dealing with climate justice today with action and community building. Nancy and Pat will inspire listeners with their devotion and commitment to lead us into the future. Whatever your personal cause may be, these guests will remind...

Change is hard, so today we talk about the emotional impact of the many political changes the new administration has imposed. Whether you support or reject the current president's programs and  enforcement, these issues influence feelings of safety, community, connection and identity. Children and adults of all ages are reporting higher levels of anxiety than ever before. Our guest expert, therapi...

Today we are taking a break from the challenges of aging and looking at the cultural changes of our lifetime, specifically through the movies. Do you remember the first movie you watched in a theater? Was it life changing?  Grab some popcorn, listen to Professor Larry Eilenberg, and consider how we have been influenced by the movies. Brought to you by NEXTVillageSF.org NEXT Village SF is a neighbo...

We often think of crying as something for babies and only for sadness in adults, but tears reflect much more. Today we learn about the emotions and psychological effects of crying, especially for older adults. Dr. Judith Kay Nelson tells us what our tears mean and how they affect our emotional health.  Brought to you by NEXTVillageSF.org NEXT Village SF is a neighborhood nonprofit providing servic...

As we get older, the chance that we have vision problems increases. You may have noticed small changes, like needing more light to read, or glare when driving at night. All of these are signs of aging, but too often, we ignore our eyes when it comes to health. Today we talk about what the major changes might be, and how to protect our eyesight. Our guest, Dr. Ravi Goel, believes we can monitor our...

Every day more and more Boomers are retiring and moving to a new  community. For those listeners who missed this the first time, we are bringing this episode to you again, because where you live has so much to do with how happy you are in your later years.   Place matters. If you're aging in the right place you'll be inspired to engage with your community, stay active and be ready for new adventur...

If you think your morning walk or water aerobics are enough physical work to keep you strong and healthy as you age, stay tuned. According to our guest, Dr. Robert Nied, older adults need strength, balance and flexibility training to maintain our health and independence. And that means working with weights. Listen and learn how strength training is a must and then just do it! Brought to you by NEX...

"Estate Planning" may sound complicated and uncomfortable, but it is very important. Whether you want to leave your affairs in good shape, or are the adult child trying to support a parent with this task, this conversation is for you. Our guest, Rachel Donnelly, author of "Late To Your Own Funeral," provides guidance that smooths the path for those navigating life without us.  Brought to you by NE...

Today we are looking at the loneliness and isolation of older men. Older men often have trouble making new friends once they retire, and are often too dependent on their spouses for social interaction.    Meet Grandpas United, a group working to involve older men in volunteering in their communities, sharing their knowledge with younger people, and finding support and meaning in their lives.   For...

Do you remember saddle shoes, knee socks, or crinolines? Or guys, did you let your sideburns grow longer than usual to look fashionable? In keeping with our series on the culture of the Boomer generation, today we examine the fashions of the Boomer generation as we moved from strict rules to anything goes, from covering up to showing off.   Our guest today is Shawn Grain Carter of the Fashion Inst...

This episode was originally released October 25th, 2024 The world is full of scammers who are geniuses at separating you from your money. Older adults are too often targeted, but you can protect yourself. Steve Weisman of Scamicide has warnings and tips. Brought to you by NEXTVillageSF.org NEXT Village SF is a neighborhood nonprofit providing services and support that empowers members to live inde...

*This episode was originally released on June 7th, 2024* We are all familiar with variations of “The Talk”- those important conversations between parents and young children. Now it may seem necessary for adult children to have “the talk” with aging parents as they notice reckless or dangerous behavior or mental or physical changes in their parents. Laura Tamblyn Watts, expert on aging and author o...

Though Baby Boomers are blamed for many things, there’s one cultural gift we created better than any other generation: we had the best music! So instead of the usual topics on aging, this episode is about us! We visit the soundtrack of our lives, and all your favorite music.  Our guest is Ben Fong Torres, former senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine. It is a longer than usual episode, so join us...

The Boomer generation is known for not accepting the status quo if change will make things better, so today we are talking about change and how each of us can become involved in saving the world.   Third Act, an organization of activists over 60, ( thirdact.org ) is using our generational power to safeguard our climate and democracy. Bill McKibben is the founder of Third Act and shares his vision...

As we age, we have more and more losses in our lives. We grieve ourselves and comfort friends or  family members who are grieving. Our guest today, Rebecca Soffer, created Modern Loss, ( modernloss.com ) a website devoted to changing the dialogue around grief. She believes sharing candid and creative ideas for exploring the long arc of loss and resilience can teach us all important life lessons. B...

Today we look at how the film and TV industries exclude or misrepresent older adults. Too many ticket buyers feel Hollywood is not portraying us accurately. Madeline De Nonno, president of the Geena Davis Institute, talks about what is changing and what is not.  Brought to you by NEXTVillageSF.org NEXT Village SF is a neighborhood nonprofit providing services and support that empowers members to l...

Driving is an important part of staying independent, but aging may bring changes that affect safety on the road. A difficult tasks for families is how to tell a parent or loved one that they might not be as safe as they once were behind the wheel. Whether it be cognitive impairment or side effects from medication, how do you tell a family member? Our guest, Melanie Henry, a driving assessment spec...

There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that spirituality is one of the key factors in aging well. It can contribute to greater optimism, longevity, and a more meaningful life. Listen as we  investigate how spirituality can play a role in the lives of older adults.  Our guest, Reverend David Faust, believes that the challenges of older age are enriched when we have a spiritual component...

In a culture that values youth over age and experience, many older adults try to hide their chronological age, but few are looking at how we can prepare for the inevitable changes ahead.    Dr. Katherine Esty, a social psychologist and therapist, interviewed ordinary eighty-somethings regarding their worries and attitudes to see how they make sense of their lives as they age. The result is her boo...

If you love travel but don’t have a companion to join you, try traveling solo. You will learn about your destination and yourself as you acquire new skills, meet other travelers and local people and gain self-confidence. Solo traveler Barbara Winard is a 77 year old who has been solo traveling for years. Tune in, be inspired and be sure your passport is up to date! Brought to you by NEXTVillageSF....

Taking a break from our more serious subjects, this episode features cabaret and jazz singer Marilyn Maye. With over 80 years of performing behind her, she is still traveling and performing in night clubs and concert halls around the country. Discovered by Steve Allen and a Johnny Carson favorite, Maye shares her story of longevity in the world of entertainment. *This episode originally released i...

If you are retired or close to it but want to be trendy and relevant, listen here and discover the option of UN-retirement, returning to work or choosing a new career at any age. Current studies show that almost half of current working adults are re-thinking their retirement and staying in the job market. Guest expert Chris Farrell explains why this is happening and its effect on society. Brought...