🌧️➡️🌤️ Before the Change Came: Sam Cooke, Civil Rights & the Song That Still Waits

The Not Old Better Show, Music Today Interview Series

Thank you. I'm Paul Vogelzang and today's episode is brought to you by Hungryroot. Hungryroot…tailored meals for your taste.

There are voices that entertain us…
and then there are voices that change us.

Today, we're talking about one of the most important voices in American music—and arguably, American history: Sam Cooke.

Most of us know the hits. "You Send Me." "Wonderful World." "Twistin' the Night Away."
And of course, "A Change Is Gonna Come"—a song so powerful it still feels unfinished, because the change it calls for is still unfolding.

But here's the thing: if we only talk about the hits, we miss the man.

We miss the gospel prodigy shaped in church choirs.
The strategist who understood crossover before the industry had a name for it.
The entrepreneur who built his own label to protect artists who looked like him.
The quiet innovator who helped design the very sound that Motown, Stax, and soul music itself would ride to greatness.

Sam Cooke lived fast, worked relentlessly, and died tragically at just 33 years old. His death—controversial, unsettling, and still debated—often overshadows something far more enduring: his intention.
Not just to make beautiful music—but to make music that moved culture forward.

Today, we're going deeper.
Not the obvious songs—but the revealing ones.
The deep cuts that tell the story of where Sam came from… where he was going… and why his influence still surrounds us today—whether we realize it or not.

Music historian Scott Shea joins us to unpack six songs that don't just sound good—they explain Sam Cooke.

This is Music Today.
And this is a story worth listening to closely.

As we close today, it's worth remembering this:

Sam Cooke didn't just sing songs.
He built bridges—between gospel and pop, between Black audiences and white radio, between joy and justice.

Yes, his death remains unsettled.
And yes, the unanswered questions still linger.

But the most important truth is this:
his life was not defined by how it ended—but by what it set in motion.

Every time you hear the ease in his voice…
the hope behind his phrasing…
the confidence of an artist who knew his worth…

You're hearing someone who understood that music could soften hearts and sharpen conscience at the same time.

Sam Cooke showed us that progress doesn't always shout.
Sometimes, it sings.

So if today's conversation sent you back to his catalog—especially the deeper cuts—listen closely. Not just for nostalgia, but for intention. For courage. For the quiet blueprint of soul music as we know it.

Because long after the mystery fades,
the music remains.

And that—ultimately—is the change that came.

I'm Paul Vogelzang.
Thanks for listening to Music Today, brought to you by Hungryroot!

Go to Hungryroot dot com slash NOB and use code NOB.

Until next time, keep listening with curiosity—and heart.

🚐🌄 Sacred Landscapes: Sam Gennawey's 175,000-Mile Quest for Meaning

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

🌄 What if your second act began at 60… behind the wheel of a van?

Meet Smithsonian Associate Sam Gennawey — former urban planner, theme park historian, and now full-time van lifer. Sam made the bold decision to leave his Los Angeles loft, hit the road in a Mercedes Sprinter he calls Darlene, and spend six years exploring America's most sacred places: our national parks. Sam Gennawey will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. Please check out our show notes for more details about Sam's presentation, but we have Sam today!

🚐 175,000 miles. Nearly 390 parks. Countless stories. But this isn't about travel tips. It's about rediscovery. It's about confronting our history — the awe-inspiring and the uncomfortable — and asking what it means to age with purpose.

🎙️ In this episode of The Not Old Better Show for Smithsonian Associates, Sam shares the most moving moments from the road — the quiet places, the stories we don't tell enough, and how volunteering inside the parks helped him find meaning, community, and clarity.

📚 His new book, Sacred Landscapes, isn't just a travelogue — it's a blueprint for intentional living, especially for those of us asking, What's next?

🎧 Whether you're dreaming of a van, a new start, or simply a deeper understanding of your country, this conversation will inspire you. Sam Gennawey will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. Please check out our show notes for more details about Sam's presentation, but we have Sam today!
Listen here on Apple Podcasts! https://notoldbettershow.info/4456zJi

#SmithsonianAssociates #VanLife #NationalParks #ReinventionAfter50 #SecondActs #NotOldBetterShow #PurposeDrivenAging #SacredLandscapes

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/architecture-of-national-parks?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223

🔥 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.

👟💪💛