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Chains, Chords and Grace: The Redemption of John Lee Hooker, Jr Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

🎸 From prison cell to pulpit. 🎤 From opening for his father to praying with Keith Richards. 🙏 From blues to grace.

Rev. John Lee Hooker, Jr. has lived a life most wouldn't believe—if it weren't all true.

Born into blues royalty as the son of John Lee Hooker, he seemed destined for the stage. But addiction, crime, and incarceration rewrote the script… until faith and purpose gave him a new one.

In this episode of The Not Old Better Show, I sat down with Rev. Hooker to talk about:

🔁 Returning to Soledad Prison—first to perform, then to serve time, then again as a prison chaplain.
🎶 Escaping the shadow of the blues and creating a new sound based in redemption, not regret.
❤️ His journey back to family, fatherhood, and legacy.
🕊 What it truly means to start over after 50.

This isn't just a music story. It's a human story. One of resilience, recovery, and the reality that life doesn't end at 50—it deepens.

💥 As Rev. Hooker says: "I used to glamorize the blues. Now I testify."

🎧 Listen to this unforgettable conversation at: https://apple.co/3FAbebT #Redemption #MusicLegacy #Over50 #Transformation #NotOldBetter #LifeAfterAddiction

Dignity, Data, and the Decisions That Shape Our Later Years Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

📊 Over 450,000 voices. One powerful message: dignity in aging matters.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Liz Pearce, Senior Living Product Director at U.S. News & World Report, on The Not Old – Better Show. Liz and her team help families across the country navigate one of life's biggest transitions: choosing the right senior living community. 🏡

U.S. News' 2025 Best Senior Living Ratings are more than numbers—they reflect real experiences from residents and their loved ones. Their input shapes how communities are recognized for outstanding care, safety, and compassion. ✨

In our conversation, Liz shares what today's older adults are truly looking for—not just services, but dignity, trust, and a sense of belonging. She also explains how digital tools are evolving to support families at every step of their decision-making process. 💻👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

One of the most powerful takeaways? "We evaluate communities, not companies," Liz says. "Because it's the people—not the brand—that shape the experience." 👏

🎧 Listen to this inspiring episode and explore how data, compassion, and care come together to help us all age well. 🔗 https://apple.co/3FAbebT #USNWR #SeniorLiving #AgingWell #LeadershipInHealthcare #JournalismMatters #CareWithCompassion #NotOldBetter

Dignity, Data, and the Decisions That Shape Our Later Years Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

📊 Over 450,000 voices. One powerful message: dignity in aging matters.

One of the most powerful takeaways? "We evaluate communities, not companies," Liz says. "Because it's the people—not the brand—that shape the experience." 👏

Dignity, Data, and the Decisions That Shape Our Later Years Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

📊 Over 450,000 voices. One powerful message: dignity in aging matters.

One of the most powerful takeaways? "We evaluate communities, not companies," Liz says. "Because it's the people—not the brand—that shape the experience." 👏

Dignity, Data, and the Decisions That Shape Our Later Years Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

📊 Over 450,000 voices. One powerful message: dignity in aging matters.

One of the most powerful takeaways? "We evaluate communities, not companies," Liz says. "Because it's the people—not the brand—that shape the experience." 👏

Riding with History: Jefferson, Madison, and the Journey that Shaped a Nation Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

🐎 When Friendship Shapes Nations: The Untold Journey of Jefferson & Madison

🇺🇸 Ever imagine two founding fathers on horseback, pondering America's future as they ride through rugged landscapes, confronting pest infestations, cultural discoveries, and their own biases? Thomas Jefferson and James Madison did exactly that in their remarkable 1791 journey through Upstate New York and New England.

📚 Smithsonian Associate, author, historian Louis Masur explores this intriguing chapter in his compelling new book, A Journey North: Jefferson, Madison, and the Forging of a Friendship. Their trip wasn't simply about crop pests or maple syrup—it was about unity, vision, and a deepening bond that would echo throughout history. Check out Louis Masur's upcoming presentation at Smithsonian Associates!

🌳 This friendship trip had surprising encounters: from meeting a free Black farmer running a prosperous farm with white workers, to engaging Native American communities, to tackling agricultural threats like the dreaded Hessian fly. What did they truly learn about race, equality, and nationhood along the way?

🤔 Jefferson later said this friendship was "a source of constant happiness." But how did personal affection shape political strategy and influence America's path toward unity, amidst deep regional tensions and looming divisions?

🎧 Curious to learn more? Join me in an insightful conversation with Louis Masur on The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3FAbebT

Let's reflect on friendship, leadership, and the powerful lessons history offers us today. 🌟

Check out Smithsonian Associates for more details:

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/jefferson-madison-and-friendship

🔥 Forget boring BBQs… it's time to grill with flavor, joy, and purpose! - Kate Merker Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

We're talking grill season like you've never heard it before with Good Housekeeping's Kate Merker

Good Better Best, The Not Old Better Show, Good Housekeeping Interview Series

🔥 Summer just got a whole lot more delicious — and more intentional.

This week on The Not Old Better Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kate Merker, Chief Food Director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group and the culinary genius behind Good Housekeeping's legendary Test Kitchen. We're talking smart summer grilling — not just sizzling steaks, but heart-healthy, high-flavor meals that celebrate aging, wellness, and the joy of good food.

Kate brings nearly 20 years of experience in food media and fine dining — and she brings that knowledge home to our listeners in the most accessible, fun, and inspiring way. In our conversation, she shares her favorite simple grill recipes, her secret weapon ingredients, and why grilling for one can be just as joyful as cooking for a crowd.

What struck me most is how Kate reframes grilling from a once-in-a-while indulgence to a vibrant, everyday tool for better living. She talks about cooking as connection — to ourselves, to others, to health — and her insights speak especially to those of us navigating new phases of life. Whether you're retired, an empty nester, or just trying to cook smarter, this episode is for you. 🥗🍢

👨‍🍳 Plus: We dive into her work at Good Housekeeping, what it takes to develop a recipe readers can trust, and how the GH+ Membership gives exclusive access to all this smart, science-backed content — including product testing opportunities, expert interviews, and member-only recipes.

🎧 If you're hungry for change — or just a better way to do summer dinner — I invite you to listen in. The grill's hot, the ideas are fresh, and you won't want to miss what Kate has to say.

👇 Tune in now and taste what's possible. #NotOldBetter #HealthyAging #GrillSmart #GHKitchen #WellnessOver60 #SmartCooking #Hearst #GoodHousekeepingPlus

Resilience is Much More Than Grit! Jennifer Watson Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

💥 "I thought I had to be miserable on the way to happiness." 💥 Sound familiar? Former All-American 🏃‍♀️ turned healer and high-performance coach Jennifer Watson opens up about how pushing through pain nearly broke her—and how listening to her body changed everything.

Now she's on a mission to help YOU lead with purpose, ease, and joy—especially in your 50s, 60s, and beyond.

🎧 Tune in to this powerful episode of The Not Old Better Show for tools to reclaim your energy, reset your nervous system 🧠, and live a soul-aligned life 💖.

➡️ https://notold-better.com #MidlifeWellness #HealthyLeadership #NotOldBetter #ResilienceRedefined #WomenOver50 #PurposeAndPassion

Menopause, Aging and Food Freedom: Taylor Wolfram, MS, RDN, LDN Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

🚨 Menopause, aging & food freedom! 🚨 Diet culture tells us to shrink, but Taylor Wolfram says it's time to thrive. 🌱💪 Tune in for a fresh take on nutrition & well-being! 🎧👇. Sponsored by Acorns: Head to acorns.com/nob or download the Acorns app to get started!

🚨 What if health wasn't about shrinking your body, but about thriving in it? 🚨

For decades, we've been told that aging means slowing down, gaining weight, and fighting an uphill battle to stay "healthy." But what if we've been looking at it all wrong? Taylor Wolfram, RDN, is flipping the script on diet culture and showing us how food can be a source of empowerment—not restriction. 🌱💪

In this powerful conversation, we dive into:

🔥 How plant-based foods support aging & menopause (yes, phytoestrogens can actually help balance hormones!) 🔥 Why weight does not define health—and how to break free from years of toxic diet messaging 🔥 The truth about intuitive eating & food freedom—so you can finally stop obsessing and start living

💡 Fact: Veganism isn't just another diet. It's about abundance, satisfaction, and a sustainable way of eating that supports long-term well-being.

Ready to rethink everything you've been told about food and aging? 🎧 Tune in ASAP!

Sponsored by Acorns: Head to acorns.com/nob or download the Acorns app to get started!

Heart & Soul: Kenny Vance, Singer, Songwriter, Film Maker Jun 07, 2025

Show notes

Heart & Soul: Kenny Vance, Singer, Songwriter, Film Maker

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

"They were my heroes. And then they became my friends." In this moving new episode of The Not Old Better Show, we're honored to welcome musician, producer, and doo-wop preservationist Smithsonian Associate Kenny Vance—a voice behind Jay and the Americans and the filmmaker behind Heart & Soul: A Love Story.

Kenny shares a deeply personal account of his lifelong connection to the music of the 1950s and '60s—harmonies sung on street corners, friendships formed in rehearsal halls, and the artists who paved the way for today's pop and R&B but were left behind by the industry.

This episode isn't just about music; it's about legacy, resilience, and honoring voices that shaped a generation. Kenny also opens up about losing his home during Hurricane Sandy and how salvaged tapes and footage helped him begin again—with purpose.

For professionals in music, film, storytelling, or anyone who believes in the power of cultural memory, this is a masterclass in what it means to preserve not just a sound, but a spirit.

🎧 Tune in on Apple Podcasts and more of your favorite podcast directories #DooWop #MusicHistory #SmithsonianAssociates #LegacyWork #Podcast #NotOldBetterShow #KennyVance

More indormation here:

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/story-of-doo-wop

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