🔥 From Invisible to Invincible: Kimber Hardick on Reclaiming Intimacy, Confidence & Joy After 50 💃💫

THE NOT OLD BETTER SHOW, ART OF LIVING INTERVIEW SERIES💡

What if the second half of life is actually the most honest, sensual, and powerful part?

On this week's episode of The Not Old Better Show, award-winning host Paul Vogelzang speaks with Kimber Hardick, author of An Invitation to Shine, about intimacy, self-trust, and reclaiming desire after 50…today's episode is brought to by Fitbod: Your Personalized Strength Plan

Kimber brings a candid, empowering perspective to aging—one that challenges cultural myths about invisibility, desirability, and confidence in midlife. Her insights on dating, self-worth, and emotional healing are timely for anyone navigating life after divorce, illness, or major change.

From using plant medicine to heal from Lupus to learning to surf in her 60s, Kimber is living proof that reinvention is real—and that it's never too late to feel seen, wanted, and whole. Remember, …today's episode is brought to by Fitbod: Your Personalized Strength Plan

🎧 Listen to the full episode at notold-better.com

#ValentinesDay #MidlifeReinvention #WomenOver50 #HealthyAging #NotOldBetter

The Quiet Strength of Nonviolence: What Dr. King Taught Us About Healing Conflict—At Home and Beyond

The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living Interview Series

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: "Nonviolence Isn't Just for Protest Signs — It's for the Living Room, Too."

As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we often think of speeches, marches, and monumental change. But what if the most radical act of nonviolence today happens around the dinner table—or during a tough conversation with someone you love?

Danielle Reiff, a retired U.S. diplomat with over two decades of experience in peacebuilding, joined The Not Old Better Show to share how she applied King's teachings of nonviolent non-cooperation not in a war zone—but in her own family. The results? Deeply personal. And deeply transformative.

Now leading Peacebuilders, an initiative to promote unity in diversity in the U.S., Danielle is helping people understand how nonviolence applies to politics, media—and our daily lives. She's also a contributor to Overcoming Information Chaos, a book that offers practical strategies for living as responsible, informed citizens in the face of disinformation.

This conversation is especially meaningful for older adults looking to lead with compassion, heal family divisions, and stay active in shaping peaceful, connected communities.

🎧 Listen here: https://notoldbettershow.info/4456zJi

#MLKDay #Leadership #ConflictResolution #MediaLiteracy #Peacebuilding #NotOldBetter #CivicEngagement #LifelongLearning

🧠 Aging Doesn't Have to Mean Losing Your Mind. Literally.

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

In our latest episode of The Not Old Better Show for the Smithsonian Associates series, I sat down with neurologist and memory expert Dr. Barry Gordon—and let me tell you, this one stays with you.

You may remember Dr. Gordon from his previous appearances, where he captivated us with his rare blend of scientific clarity, wit, and heart. He's back today to talk about the facts—and fictions—surrounding Alzheimer's and other dementias. And, Dr. Gordon will be back at Smithsonian Associates for another excellent, thorough presentation coming up. Check out our show notes for more details, but we have a snapshot with Dr. Gordon today.

Dr. Gordon, who founded the Memory Clinic at Johns Hopkins, breaks down the fears surrounding Alzheimer's and dementia—and he doesn't sugarcoat it. But he also refuses to accept the tired narrative that memory loss is just a part of growing old. In fact, his message is clear: there's a lot you can do, and the earlier you start, the better.

From aerobic exercise (yes, it's that powerful) to managing chronic conditions like hypertension and sleep apnea, Dr. Gordon lays out practical, proven steps to support brain health. He also reveals when you should raise the red flag about memory changes in yourself or a loved one—and what to do if you suspect something deeper than "just aging."

He even goes after the status quo in Alzheimer's research—challenging the industry's overemphasis on plaques and tangles, and advocating for a broader, patient-centered approach that includes prevention, lifestyle changes, and early behavioral interventions.

If you've ever worried about your memory—or someone else's—this episode is a must-listen. It's not just informative. It's empowering.

Smithsonian Associate Dr. Barry Gordon—clear, candid, and compassionate, as always. You may remember Dr. Gordon from his previous appearances, where he captivated us with his rare blend of scientific clarity, wit, and heart. He's back today to talk about the facts—and fictions—surrounding Alzheimer's and other dementias. And, Dr. Gordon will be back at Smithsonian Associates for another excellent, thorough presentation coming up. Check out our show notes for more details.

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/alzheimers-disease-and-dementias

🎙 Full episode here → Apple Podcasts: https://notoldbettershow.info/4456zJi

#SmithsonianAssociates #AlzheimersAwareness #Neurology #HealthyAging #NotOldBetter #LeadershipInMedicine #CognitiveHealth #BrainHealthMatters

Is the American Republic Overdue for a Tune-up?

The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living Interview Series

Author and political thinker Mike Bedenbaugh believes so—and he's done something about it. Drawing on his life as a Navy veteran, historic preservationist, and civic leader, Mike wrote Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America.

Today's episode is brought to you by Hungryroot! Hungryroot…tailored meals for your taste.

In our latest interview, he explains how George Washington's Farewell Address still holds powerful lessons for today's governance—and how we've drifted far from that original wisdom.

We talk about foreign policy, career politicians, corporate influence, and the emotional wear-and-tear on civic trust. But this isn't doom and gloom. Mike is refreshingly practical and grounded.

🎧 Tune in if you care about service, reform, and the role of citizens—especially experienced ones—in shaping the next chapter.

Today's episode is brought to you by Hungryroot!

🔗 Listen here on Apple Podcasts: https://notoldbettershow.info/4456zJi

🎙️📚 New The Secrets Thomas Jefferson Tried to Keep Episode: Being Thomas Jefferson—An Intimate History

🗽 Thomas Jefferson is often treated as an idea more than a person. But what happens when we pause, look closer, and ask who he really was—emotionally, physically, privately?

In this week's episode of The Not Old Better Show, I'm joined by historian Andrew Burstein, whose new book uncovers a Jefferson marked by chronic illness 🤕, obsessive order 📊, emotional vulnerability 💔, and lifelong secrecy.

Today's episode is sponsored by Caraway. Good Looking & Clean Cooking.

📜 Through letters, lists, and private moments, Burstein reveals a man who avoided confrontation, controlled his surroundings, and struggled to reconcile ideals with personal choices—especially in his relationship with Sally Hemings.

🎭 This conversation also asks why Jefferson still matters so much today—claimed by all sides, reshaped by each generation, and never fully settled. For listeners who value depth, nuance, and honest reflection, this episode resonates deeply.

🎧 Listen here: https://notoldbettershow.info/4456zJi

Today's episode is sponsored by Caraway. Good Looking & Clean Cooking.

🌐 Explore more at notold-better.com

Skip the Resolutions—Do What Works: Sabrena Jo on Wellness After 55

Live Long Better: The Not Old Better Show & the American Council on Exercise

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026, everyone! I'm so glad you're here with us on Live Long Better, part of The Not Old Better Show. I'm your host, Paul Vogelzang. Today's episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, COMFORT THAT ELEVATES EVERY DAY UNWRAP UNMATCHED SOFTNESS THIS SEASON!

As we step into a brand-new year, it's tempting to make grand plans, big promises, and bold resolutions. But today, we're doing things differently. No pressure, no reinvention — just thoughtful reflection, meaningful movement, and a focus on what's already working.

Joining us is our returning friend and trusted expert, Dr. Sabrena Jo, Senior Director of Science and Education at the American Council on Exercise. Sabrena has a gift for cutting through the fads and fluff, and today she's helping us shift away from the typical "New Year, New You" mindset and toward something far more powerful — continuity, confidence, and connection.

In this episode, Sabrena shares how adults over 55 can use movement, social connection, and real-life motivation to support better health without the burnout. She'll bust a few fitness myths, offer science-backed strategies you can actually stick with, and remind us all that aging well isn't about starting over — it's about moving forward with purpose.

So whether you're walking with a friend, stretching in your living room, or simply taking stock of the year ahead, this one's for you.

Let's get started—with Dr. Sabrena Jo. I'm Paul Vogelzang, and this is Live Long Better, part of the award-winning Not Old Better Show.

That's it for today's episode — and what a way to kick off 2026. Remember, today's episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, COMFORT THAT ELEVATES EVERY DAY UNWRAP UNMATCHED SOFTNESS THIS SEASON

A huge thank you to Dr. Sabrena Jo for reminding us that healthy aging isn't about chasing trends or starting over — it's about building on the strength, wisdom, and movement we've already earned.

So whether it's a morning stretch, a walk with a neighbor, or simply giving yourself credit for what you are doing — keep moving, and keep meaning it.

To hear more episodes like this one, including our full archive of inspiring conversations, head over to notold-better.com. You can also follow us on social media — we're on Twitter @notoldbetter and Instagram at notoldbetter — for more insights, encouragement, and community.

This episode is a production of N.O.B.S. Studios.

From all of us here, I'm Paul Vogelzang — thank you for spending time with us today. Have a healthy, meaningful, and joyful start to your 2026, and I hope you'll join me again next time. Live Long Better: Move smarter. Stay stronger. Find meaning in motion.

👟💪💛

"Bloody Crowns and Broken Myths: Michael Livingston on the Real Hundred Years War"

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

For more details, check out Smithsonian Associates:

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/hundred-years-war

The Hundred Years War: A New History

Bloody Crowns A New History of the Hundred Years War

⚔️ Henry V at Agincourt. Joan of Arc at Orléans. But that's just the beginning…

Smithsonian Associate, Military historian Michael Livingston joins The Not Old Better Show to expose what really happened during the Hundred Years War—and why it wasn't 100 years at all. Think two centuries of shifting alliances, brutal innovation, and the making of modern Europe.

🎙️ Hear the true stories behind the myths now: https://notold-better.com

#NotOldBetterShow #SmithsonianAssociates #HistoryMatters #MichaelLivingston #BloodyCrowns #50PlusLife

🔍 Think you know the Hundred Years War? Let's rethink that.

Smithsonian Associate, Military Historian Michael Livingston, Citadel Distinguished Professor and former Secretary-General of the U.S. Commission on Military History, joined me on The Not Old Better Show – Smithsonian Associates Series to talk about his new book, Bloody Crowns: A New History of the Hundred Years War. What he revealed shocked even me—a timeline that's not 100 years, but 200 years of continental chaos from 1292 to 1492.

⚔️ It wasn't just England and France. From Scotland to the Holy Roman Empire, from Italian city-states to the Iberian Peninsula, this conflict redrew the map of Europe and rewired the way nations thought about power, leadership, and identity.

🎯 We spoke about the decisive moments—like young Edward III's shocking move at Nottingham Castle—and the long, grinding ones too: famine, mercenary bands, peasant revolts. And yes, we dug into the legends: Agincourt, Crécy, Poitiers, and the blazing courage of Joan of Arc.

📚 For those of us 50 and older, this conversation isn't just about dusty old battles. It's about understanding how we got here, how power shifts across generations, and how myths shape our memory. Michael's storytelling is rich, witty, and accessible, and this episode is one I think you'll truly enjoy.

🎧 Listen now: https://notold-better.com

Let me know what surprised you most—or which figure from this era you'd want to meet in history.

Attend Michael Livingston's upcoming Smithsonian Associates presentation for all the details, after our interview here.

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/hundred-years-war

🎙️The Giant Leap: Is Space the Future of Life on Earth?

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Welcome to the Smithsonian Associates series on The Not Old Better Show. I'm your host, award-winning journalist Paul Vogelzang.

Today's conversation is as big as it gets. We're talking about the future of life—not just on Earth, but beyond it.

Our guest is Smithsonian Associate, Dr. Caleb Scharf—NASA astrobiologist, acclaimed author, and one of the boldest thinkers about the place of life in the universe. Dr. Caleb Scharf will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up! Please check out THIS link for more details. But we have Dr. Scharf briefly today and in his new book The Giant Leap, Dr. Scharf makes a provocative case: that our expansion into space may not just be a technological milestone—it might be the next phase of evolution itself.

He calls this moment a "disruption in the story of life" as profound as when creatures first crawled out of the sea. He's spent his career studying black holes, exoplanets, and the fingerprints of life across the cosmos. He's also a storyteller who blends science with wonder, and reminds us that the night sky isn't just something to look at—it's something we're becoming part of.

If you've ever stared up at the stars and asked, Where are we going next?—this episode is for you.

Remember, Dr. Caleb Scharf will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up! Please check out THIS link for more details.