What if growing older wasn’t just about adding years but about stepping into wisdom, influence, and purpose? What if instead of fading into the background, we embraced a new role—a role of guidance, leadership, and transformation?

Today, we’re speaking with someone who has dedicated his life to redefining what it truly means to age. Dr. Marc B. Cooper is a coach, author, and thought leader who challenges the idea that aging is simply about preservation. Instead, he asks us to consider: Are we merely “Older,” or are we evolving into “Elder”? Because there is a difference. Older is resignation—Elder is possibility. Older is retreat—Elder is engagement. Older is a conclusion—Elder is a beginning.

Dr. Cooper’s work—including his book Older to Elder: The Thinking and Being of a Contemporary Elder—lays out a clear, compelling path for those 60 and beyond who refuse to be sidelined by outdated expectations. Instead, he encourages us to step forward as storytellers, mentors, and wisdom-keepers for the generations that follow.

In our conversation today, we’ll explore how to embrace this powerful transition. What does it take to move from simply aging to becoming a true Elder? How do we overcome ageism and societal doubts? And most importantly—how can we shape the legacy we leave behind?

Dr. Cooper has coached, written, and traveled the world sharing these insights, and today, we’re honored to have him with us. So, let’s get started. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and this is The Not Old – Better Show.

Today’s special guest, singer, songwriter, and musician, Sarah Martin McConnell, is a remarkable example of how life’s twists and turns can lead us to discover our true purpose. A Nashville-based singer-songwriter with a background in social work, Sarah has spent the past 16 years bringing the joy and healing power of music to seniors through her nonprofit, Music for Seniors.

This organization started with a simple, heartfelt idea: connect talented musicians with older adults, especially those who are isolated or living with conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. What began as a personal effort to lift her own mother’s spirits after Hurricane Katrina has blossomed into a citywide—and now national—program that lights up lives through live music. Sarah’s work has shown that music has a magical ability to spark memories, create community, and bring joy to people of all ages, especially those who need it most.

Today, we’ll explore Sarah’s inspiring journey, from singing alongside her mother during a challenging time to building an award-winning nonprofit that has touched countless lives. We’ll hear stories of resilience, creativity, and music’s incredible impact—stories that will move and inspire anyone who’s ever cared for a parent, grandparent, or friend.

So, whether you’re a music lover, a caregiver, or someone seeking purpose in your next chapter, this episode is for you. Sit back, relax, and join us as we celebrate the healing power of music and the extraordinary legacy of Sarah Martin McConnell.

Thanks to Sarah Martin McConnell, singer-songwriter and founder of Music For Seniors.  Please enjoy Sarah’s latest music and stay tuned for her debut album, which we will link to soon.  My thanks to Sam Heninger and Miranda Heninger for all they do to keep the ships here running on time and for keeping me honest.  My thanks to you our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe and Let’s Talk About Better. The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast.  Thanks, everyone and we’ll see you next time.

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast. In 1839, five women gathered in a Boston parlor, asking two profound questions: What are we born to do? How shall we do it? Their answers helped shape one of the most important intellectual movements in American history—Transcendentalism.

We know the names Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. But what about Mary Moody Emerson, Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, Lydia Jackson Emerson, and Margaret Fuller? These women weren’t just observers of the movement; they were its architects. They nurtured its philosophy, challenged its leaders, and laid the foundations for American feminism.

Yet, history largely ignored them. Their ideas, often groundbreaking, were overshadowed by the men they inspired. Until now.

Today, we welcome Smithsonian Associate Dr. Randall Fuller, the Herman Melville Distinguished Professor of 19th-Century American Literature at the University of Kansas, to uncover the hidden story of Transcendentalism.  Smithsonian Associate Dr. Randall Fuller will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. Please check out our show notes today for details on his presentation, titled Bright Circle: Five Remarkable Transcendentalist Women. His book of the same name, available at Apple Books, Bright Circle: Five Remarkable Women in the Age of Transcendentalism, challenges what we think we know about this movement and restores these women to their rightful place in history.

Did Emerson’s most famous ideas actually begin with his aunt? Did a woman’s journal from Cuba shape the way Americans saw nature? And how did one wife push her husband to take a stand on abolition?

This is a conversation about the influence, erasure, and intellectual power of women in a time that tried to silence them.

So, let’s step back into the 19th century and meet the women who changed America—without ever getting the credit.

My thanks to Smithsonian Associate Dr. Randall Fuller will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. Please check out our show notes today for details on his presentation, titled Bright Circle: Five Remarkable Transcendentalist Women His book, of the same name, and available at Apple Books, Bright Circle: Five Remarkable Women in the Age of Transcendentalism. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show. Please wish them a Happy 60th Anniversary this year! My thanks to Sam and Miranda Heninger for all they do to help ths show, too. And my thanks to you, our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe, and Let’s Talk About Better™  The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, thanks, everybody and we’ll see you next time.

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series. on radio and podcast. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today, we’re talking about something that affects every single one of us—aging. But not just the personal experience of getting older. We’re talking about how old age itself was invented—how retirement, security, and dignity in later life were shaped by policies, culture, and economics, and why, for many, those promises now feel uncertain.

My guest today is Smithsonian Associate, historian James Chappel, author of the remarkable new book, available at Apple Books Golden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age. Dr. James Chappel will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. The title of his presentation is The Golden Years. Please check out our show notes today for details. It’s an eye-opening look at how, for much of history, Americans worked until their final breath. Then, with Social Security, employer pensions, and rising prosperity, a new era of retirement emerged—one that allowed millions to live out their later years in security. But that era is fading. Today, older Americans are working longer, facing financial precarity, and navigating a system that feels increasingly fragile.

James Chappel unpacks how we got here, the figures—both celebrated and forgotten—who shaped the story, and the pop culture that influenced how we see aging, from The Golden Girls to Grace and Frankie. He also challenges us to rethink the future. Should we accept the instability of old age as inevitable? Or is there a better way forward?

This conversation is about history, but it’s also about us—our parents, our children, and the future we want to build. So stay with us, as we dive into Golden Years with Smithsonian Associate, historian James Chappel.

My thanks to Smithsonian Associate, historian James Chappel, author of the remarkable new book, available at Apple Books Golden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age. Dr. James Chappel will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. The title of his presentation is The Golden Years. Please check out our show notes today for details. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show. My thanks to Sam & Miranda Heninger for their help on the show. Thanks, guys. My thanks to you, our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe, Let’s Talk About Better™ The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast. Thanks, everybody and we’ll see you next time.

1FitLife Fit & Fabulous Over 40: Fitness Friday with Jane Marcus

The Not Old Better Show, Fitness Friday Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Fitness Friday edition. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today, we’re cutting through the noise and getting real about health, fitness, and aging strong. If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you as you hit midlife, or you’re tired of one-size-fits-all health advice that doesn’t actually fit, then you’re in the right place.

My guest today is Jane Marcus—fitness coach, nutrition expert, and the powerhouse behind 1FitLife: Fit & Fabulous Over 40. Jane didn’t just wake up one day as a fitness guru—her journey was filled with frustration, setbacks, and reinvention. From struggling in a new country with jobs that drained her to discovering the power of strength training and building a thriving health business for women over 40, Jane has lived the transformation she now teaches.

She’s here to bust myths about midlife fitness, explain why traditional diets fail us after 40, and share how we can actually boost our energy, build strength, and stay active—not just for today, but for decades to come. Whether you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or just looking for that extra push, Jane’s insight will change the way you think about fitness at this stage of life.

And stick around—because I will be asking her the question we all want answered: How on earth does she do so many chin-ups?!

So, let’s get to it—please join me in welcoming Jane Marcus to The Not Old Better Show, Fitness Friday edition.

My thanks to Jane Marcus for her generous time on the Fitness Friday show today. You can learn more about Jane on her Facebook page, which we’ll link to in our notes today.  My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show on their 60th Anniversary of Smithsonian Associates. When you get a free moment check out our link to Smithsonian Associates, also in our notes today. My thanks always to our production team of Sam & Miranda Heninger. Thanks, guys. And a special thanks to our Fitness Friday audience on radio and podast. Be well, be safe, and let’s talk about better. The Not Old Better Show, Fitness Friday interview series.

Revolution, Rebellion, and the Fight for Freedom: Andrew Lawler on the Untold Story of 1776

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Welcome to the Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates 6oth anniversary Interview Series, where history comes alive and challenges everything we thought we knew. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today we have a truly electrifying conversation for you.

We all know the story of the American Revolution—patriots fighting for freedom against the might of the British Crown. But what if I told you that one of the most pivotal moments in that fight didn’t happen in Boston or Philadelphia, but in Virginia? And what if the spark that helped push the colonies toward independence wasn’t a tea party or a midnight ride, but an act of emancipation?

Our guest today, New York Times bestselling author and journalist Smithsonian Associate Andrew Lawler, is here to tell us about his new book, available at Apple Books, A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution.  Andrew Lawler will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up so please check out our webstie for links and details.

Smithsonian Associate Dr. Andrew Lawler’s new book, available at Apple Books is A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution. In it, he uncovers the untold story of Lord Dunmore, Virginia’s last royal governor—a man who, in desperation, issued a proclamation offering freedom to enslaved people who joined the British fight. The result? Chaos, fury, and the kind of political firestorm that changed the course of history.

Thomas Jefferson himself admitted it: Dunmore’s actions sent the patriots into a perfect frenzy, leading directly to the burning of Norfolk and Virginia’s push for independence. But what about the people who answered Dunmore’s call—the men who risked everything to fight for a different kind of freedom? What happened to them? And how does this forgotten chapter of history still shape the America we live in today?

Andrew Lawler has spent years unraveling this remarkable story, and today, he’s here to share it with us. Get ready for an eye-opening conversation about revolution, race, and the myths we’ve built around our nation’s founding.

This is history like you’ve never heard it before—right here, on the Smithsonian Associates 60th Anniversary Interview Series.

My thanks to Andrew Lawler.  Andrew Lawler is a journalist and author who has written about history, science, religion, and politics from dozens of countries. Check out Andrew Lawler’s upcoming Smithsonian Associates presentation with details in our show notes. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show and my thanks to you our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe and let’s talk about better, The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates 60th Anniversary interview series on radio and podcast. Thanks, everybody and we’ll see you next week.

The New Fit: Aaron Leventhal on Strength, Longevity, and Reinventing Fitness After 40

The Not Old Better Show Fitness Friday Interview Series

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show Fitness Friday interview series. Today’s episode is brought to by Acorns. Acorns makes it easy for everyone to start saving and investing. , I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today, we’re talking about something that affects all of us: how we stay strong, energized, and truly fit as we age.

Think about this—after 40, the average person loses 7% of their lean muscle mass each decade. Our metabolism slows, our joints feel different, and for many, workouts that once worked… just don’t anymore. But what if we could turn that around? What if fitness in our 40s, 50s, and beyond wasn’t about limitations, but about possibilities?

Aaron Leventhal knows exactly how to make that happen. A former professional soccer player, elite performance coach, and now a cancer survivor, Aaron has spent 25 years helping people—from pro athletes to everyday movers—break through fitness plateaus. And now, with his new book, available at Apple Books: The New Fit: How to Own Your Fitness Journey in Your 40s, 50s, and Beyond, he’s redefining what it means to be strong at any age.

Today, Aaron is here to shatter myths, share science-backed training strategies, and explain why the key to lasting fitness isn’t just about working out harder—it’s about working out smarter. Whether you're an athlete looking to maintain your edge or someone who wants to feel good getting up the stairs, this episode is for you.

Get ready for an eye-opening conversation that could change how you move for the rest of your life. Please join me in welcoming Aaron Leventhal to The Not Old Better Show Fitness Friday interview series.

My thanks to  Acorns for sponsoring today’s show. Acorns makes it easy for everyone to start saving and investing.

My thanks to Aaron Leventhal, for his generous time, and excellent advice for our audience. Remember to check out Aaron Leventhal and his new book, available at Apple Books: The New Fit: Aaron Leventhal on Strength, Longevity, and Reinventing Fitness After 40

Flying with Dad, Dying with Dad - Yvonne Caputo

The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, on radio and  podcast for all of us who embrace life’s second act with curiosity, passion, and a drive to connect. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today’s episode is one you won’t want to miss. It’s a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about family, legacy, and the courage it takes to have the talks that truly matter.

Our guest is Yvonne K. Caputo, author of two remarkable books: Flying with Dad and Dying with Dad. Yvonne’s first book, Flying with Dad, is a poignant memoir about her father, a World War II veteran, whose stories of flying B-24 bombers changed their relationship forever. Once distant and brusque, her father became the man she truly got to know—story by story, mile by mile—leading to a connection she never thought possible.

In her second book, Dying with Dad, Yvonne takes us on another intimate journey, sharing the profound and practical lessons she learned as she supported her father’s end-of-life wishes. From navigating the powerful Five Wishes document to ensuring he passed away on his terms, Yvonne’s story reminds us of the importance of conversations about life, death, and dignity.

Today, Yvonne shares the hidden gifts in her father’s stories, how these conversations transformed her family, and why it’s never too late to have the tough talks that can bring us closer to those we love.

So, grab your favorite cup of tea, settle in, and join us for this touching and inspiring episode of The Not Old Better Show. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang—let’s get started.

My thanks to author Yvonne K. Caputo, for her generous time and wonderful, helpful insights about end of life deciions and more.  Please check out our website show notes for more details about Yvonne K. Caputo.  My thanks to our Smithsonian team, as well as Sam Heninger & Miranda Heninger for their help in making the show tip top!  My thanks to you our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe and let’s talk about better.  The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast.  Thanks, everybody and we’ll see you next time.

INTRODUCTION:

On the morning of November 3, 1979, in a quiet neighborhood of Greensboro, North Carolina, a crowd gathered for a march—activists, mill workers, and local citizens standing together against the Ku Klux Klan. The press was there, cameras rolling, ready to document a demonstration for justice. But what unfolded in just 88 seconds was something no one could have imagined. Shots rang out. Five people lay dead. The killers—members of the Klan and American Nazis—walked away without consequence.

And just like that, an act of political terror carried out in broad daylight became a footnote in American history. No justice. No reckoning. No headlines in history books.

As part of our Black Heritage Month, author and historian Aran Shetterly is here today to change that. His new book, available on Apple Books, Morningside: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul, is a gripping, meticulously researched account of the Greensboro Massacre—one of the most brazen acts of racial and political violence in modern America, and one that eerily mirrors the polarization, extremism, and law enforcement failures we continue to see today.

Why was this atrocity buried in the past? What does it reveal about justice—then and now? And what lessons can we learn as we approach the 45th anniversary of this chilling event?

Aran Shetterly spent years uncovering the truths that many wanted to stay hidden. He spoke with activists, police officers, informants, and eyewitnesses—some who still refuse to acknowledge what happened that day. Today, he joins us to share what he found and why Morningside is more than just history—it’s a warning.

This is The Not Old Better Show, and I’m Paul Vogelzang. Stay with us.

My thanks to historian Aran Shetterly and his new book, Morningside: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul. My thanks to Sam & Miranda Heninger for keeping us going. My thanks to you, our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast.  Be well, be safe, and Let’s Talk About Better™ The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. Thanks and we’ll see you next time.

Welcome to the Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast. I’m Paul Vogelzang.

The Academy Awards are Hollywood’s grandest night—the moment when months of speculation, surprise wins, and snubs all culminate in one golden evening. And this year, the road to Oscar glory has been anything but predictable.

Was Anora’s big night at the Critics Choice, DGA, and PGA the ultimate confirmation that it’s the Best Picture frontrunner, or is there still room for a shocking upset? Will Sean Baker walk away with Best Director, or could someone else—maybe The Brutalist’s Brady Corbet or Emilia Pérez’s Jacques Audiard—steal the moment? And what about Wicked, which just had a stunning, completely unexpected win for Jon M. Chu at the Critics Choice Awards? Could the musical blockbuster actually shake up the race?

From underdog stories to behind-the-scenes drama, tonight, we’re unpacking all the Oscar buzz with film critic Smithsonian Associate Noah Gittell. Noah Gittell will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up…please check out our show notes today for more details. He’s been following every twist and turn of this year’s awards season, sorting through the narratives, the rumors, and the history that tell us where the Oscars might be headed. Plus, he’s got the trivia and insights that will make sure you’re the most informed person at your Oscars party.

It’s a night of predictions, controversy, and maybe even a little Hollywood gossip. So, sit back and enjoy—this is going to be a fun one. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and this is The Not Old – Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast.

My thanks to  Smithsonian Associate Noah Gittell. Noah Gittell will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up…please check out our show notes today for more details. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to help us here on the show. My thanks to Sam Heninger and Miranda Heninger for their help producing and directing me, and my thanks to you, our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe, and Let’s Talk About Better,  Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast.