🇺🇸 AMERICA AT 250: The Story We Tell… vs. The Truth We Live 🚗🔥

The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, commemorating 250 Years of Independence in 2026

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series—on radio and podcast.

For ten years now, The Not Old Better Show has celebrated health, wellness, culture, and the stories that remind us we're not old—we're better.

Now, as America commemorates 250 years of independence in 2026, this special series offers a dynamic exploration of America's past, present, and future.

Explore the people, ideas, conflicts, and aspirations that have shaped America–and how the past informs the challenges and possibilities ahead.

At 250, America is still young enough to dream, and seasoned enough to know that freedom asks something of every generation.

Through our Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, we invite you to hear that story with fresh perspective, honest reflection, and renewed purpose.

This is The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, commemorating 250 Years of Independence in 2026.

Anniversaries matter. Meaning matters more.

History is never just behind us. Sometimes it sits right beside us, asking who we are, what we value, and what we owe the future.

Stay with us as Paul Vogelzang continues this Smithsonian Associates conversation on the people, ideas, and moments that still call us to be better.

Thanks for joining us this week on The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, commemorating 250 Years of Independence in 2026—on radio and podcast.

To hear more about today's stories, catch our new Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, and enjoy our extensive back catalog of previous shows, please visit notold-better.com.

Follow us on X at Not Old Better, and on Instagram at Not Old Better.

This is a production of N.O.B.S. studios.

I'm Paul Vogelzang. Thanks for spending this time with us. Join me again next time as we continue sharing stories that remind us we're getting better, not just older. Because 250 years later, Better is still a conversation worth having.

Let's talk about Better.

This is The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, commemorating 250 Years of Independence in 2026

This Is Your Life, Carolyn Forté: Good Housekeeping's Queen of Clean Opens the Big Red Book

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

Today's episode is brought to you by Wayfair, Every Style Every Home. And today's episode is special. Today's guest is special. we open a very large, very red book… and it begins with a familiar scene: a kitchen. A sink. A dish towel. And someone—possibly you—asking, "Do I really have to pre-rinse this?"

Carolyn Forté has spent more than 40 years at Good Housekeeping, moving from the Textiles Lab to the Home Care & Cleaning Lab—where "clean" isn't a vibe, it's data. She and her team don't just read labels; they challenge them. They make stains on purpose. They time cycles. They inspect fibers. They argue with myths. They test what works, what's hype, and what's going to leave your towels smelling like regret.

She's written books, taught millions, partnered with the American Cleaning Institute, and helped turn everyday home care into something practical, even reassuring—especially for those of us who want our homes to stay safe, comfortable, and easier to manage as the years add up.

And yes… somewhere in the pages of this big red book is a sentence you never expected to hear: a waterproof computer keyboard… went into a dishwasher. For science.

So settle in—because today is a warm, funny, heartfelt look back at the career of the woman who's saved more family arguments than any referee ever could.

Remember today's episode is brought to you by Wayfair, Every Style Every Home.

When "Denied" Goes Viral: AI Claim Denials, TrumpRx, and America's Healthcare Trust Crisis

The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living Interview Series

Thank you, I'm Paul Vogelzang. Today's episode is brought to you by Caraway. Good Looking. Clean Cooking.

Have you ever stood at the pharmacy counter, card in hand, and heard one word: denied?

For our listeners over 50, that moment isn't about inconvenience. It's blood pressure meds. It's insulin. It's the medication that keeps you steady, independent, and in your own life.

And then comes the "solution": "Try a coupon." "Pay cash." "Use a marketplace."

Behind that advice is a system that can feel like a black box—prior authorization, shifting formularies, and now, more and more, algorithms. AI can speed up decisions, but it can also shut a door without giving you a clear, human explanation.

Now add the third ingredient: social media. A nonstop feed that can take real pain and turn it into a blame spiral—until people stop asking, "How do we fix this?" and start asking, "Who do we punish?" We've seen how fast outrage can spread, and how dangerous it can become when it's celebrated instead of cooled down.

Today on The Not Old Better Show, we're connecting those dots—insurance hurdles, AI-driven denials, and the polarization that's eroding trust.

Our guest is Dr. William Soliman, CEO of the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs and a leading expert on pharma and health insurance. He'll explain TrumpRx—what it is, what it isn't, and why a discount price that doesn't count toward your deductible can backfire for seniors on multiple medications.

We'll talk reform. We'll talk responsible tech. And we'll talk empathy—because healthcare can't run on anger. And it's never too late to insist on dignity at the doctor's office. Remember, support our sponsors: today's episode is brought to you by Caraway. Good Looking. Clean Cooking.

Your Watch Is Smart. You're Smarter: AI Fitness Without Losing the Human

Live Long Better: The Not Old Better Show, ACE Interview Series With Dr. Sabrena Jo

TODAY'S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FITBOD AND MARS MEN

⌚🤖 Your watch has years of data. Now AI wants to tell you what it means—and what to do next. ACE CEO Dr. Cedric Bryant said, "AI is now central to fitness." In 2026 AI may become the backbone of programming, scheduling, personalization, and even staffing in gyms. 😮🏋️‍♀️🤖

Exciting? Yes. But here's the myth to drop: AI and wearables won't replace coaches or common sense. 🧠✅

On Live Long Better, Paul and Dr. Sabrena Jo (ACE) break down what to track (resting HR ❤️, sleep 😴, weekly movement minutes 🚶‍♂️) and how to use AI for safer intensity, smarter recovery, and steadier habits—without stress. 🚩📊

REMEMBER TO SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: TODAY'S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FITBOD AND MARS MEN

🎀👵👧 From Grandma to Granddaughter: "Bows & Ties" and the Power of Sisterhood with Kavya Thakrar 📚✨

The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living Interview Series

🎀📚 Who's the woman you still call when life feels wobbly? 👵👧 Today's episode is brought to you by Caraway. Good Looking. Clean Cooking, and this week on The Not Old – Better Show, 16‑year‑old author Kavya Thakrar shares "Bows and Ties," built from 19 interviews celebrating sisterhood, confidence, and family wisdom. Tell us: who's your "tie"? 💛

🎀👵👧 Quick question: who was the woman who steadied you when you were young—and have you thanked her lately?

This week on The Not Old – Better Show, we're featuring Kavya Thakrar, who published her book "Bows and Ties" at just 16. 📚 It's a collection of 19 interviews with founders, creators, and doctors, woven with reflections on sisterhood, confidence, and connection.

What stayed with me is how naturally this conversation bridges generations. ✨ For grandparents, parents, mentors, and leaders, it's a reminder that the words we say at the kitchen table can echo for decades. For teens, it's proof their voice matters right now.

Try this today: 💬 send one message that starts with, "I still remember when you…" and finish it with a specific moment. A mother. A grandmother. A teacher. A friend. Those details build community—at any age. ❤️

Remember, today's episode is brought to you by Caraway. Good Looking. Clean Cooking.

If you want an episode you can share with your daughter, granddaughter, sister, or your closest circle, this one hits home. 🎧📺 Watch/listen here: notold-better.com

Good Housekeeping, Good Better Best: All About Coffee: The Best Coffee Makers for Your Money & Smart Tips for a Better Brew with Eva Bleyer

The Not Old Better Show, Good Better Best Interview Series

☕🚨 Is Your Coffee Maker Ruining Your Morning?

We talk endlessly about productivity 📈, performance 🎯, optimization ⚙️, and daily habits.

But when was the last time you examined the one ritual millions rely on every single morning?

☕ Coffee.

In our latest episode of The Not Old Better Show, I sat down with Eva Bleyer, Reviews Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute 🧪, to ask a deceptively simple — and surprisingly revealing — question:

👉 Is your coffee maker helping your brew… or quietly sabotaging it?

What followed was not a casual conversation about gadgets. It was a masterclass in precision 🎛️, temperature control 🌡️, grind size ⚡, maintenance 🧼, and smarter purchasing decisions 💡.

Small variables. Massive impact.

Because here's the truth: details matter. In the test kitchen. In business. In leadership. In life.

We also explored how evolving lifestyles — downsizing 🏡, living solo, simplifying routines 🧘‍♂️ — should change the tools we choose. The "best" option is rarely the most expensive 💰. It's the one aligned with who you are now.

There's something powerful about refining the ordinary.

A better cup of coffee may seem small. But elevating daily rituals can sharpen focus 🧠, reduce waste ♻️, conserve money 💵, and bring greater intention to how we start our day.

If you value evidence over hype 📊, insight over marketing noise 📣, and practical wisdom you can apply immediately — this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://notoldbettershow.info/NewEpisode

Chris Parker: Privacy Without Paranoia — Stay One Step Ahead of Scammers

The Not Old Better Show, Technology Interview Series

If someone says "Don't tell anyone" or "Read me that code," the safest move is to pause. 🚨

This week on The Not Old Better Show, we talk with Chris Parker—founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com and host of the Easy Prey podcast—about privacy without paranoia for the 50+ community (and for the families who look out for them). 🔒📱👵🧓

A few takeaways worth sharing at the kitchen table:

✅ Data isn't just "marketing"—it can become access

✅ A simple public / private / secret test for what you share

✅ The 10‑second pause that breaks urgency traps

If you help a parent with banking, set up logins for a loved one, or manage accounts for a small group or nonprofit, this episode gives clear language and practical habits—without turning life into a tech project. ❤️

Remember, today's show is brought to you by Wayfair and Mars Men. . Please check out our show notes today for details and great deals from Wayfair and Mars Men.

LISTEN: notold-better.com

🚨 "Family" = "target." 😮‍💨🛡️ Mark Greaney on THE HARD LINE (Gray Man #15, Feb 17) & why Court Gentry turns protector. 🎧Listen NOW

🕵️‍♂️⚠️ What happens when the mission stops being professional… and becomes personal?

On the latest Not Old Better Show, brought to you by Fitbod. Fitbod: WORLD'S BEST FITNESS PROGRAMMING FOR LIFELONG PROGRESS we sit down with New York Times bestselling author Mark Greaney, creator of the Gray Man series, to talk about his newest thriller: THE HARD LINE (Gray Man #15, out Feb 17, 2026). 📚🗓️

This story shifts Court Gentry's focus from hunter to protector 🛡️—because "family" becomes another word for "target." ❤️🎯 For many of us, especially 50+ and 60+, that lands close: the lifelong role of keeping others safe, even when it costs you sleep, comfort, or peace of mind.

We also talk craft and credibility 🔍🌍—Mark's location work (including D.C. energy 🚇🇺🇸), the reality behind modern espionage, and how he writes an antagonist with a code ⚔️🧩… someone you may not agree with, but can't ignore.

If you like conversations about resilience 💪, loyalty 🤝, and the bonds we build over a lifetime ❤️—this episode is for you.

🎧👉 check it out: https://notold-better.com