The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyperpersuasion

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Have you ever wondered if the thoughts you're thinking… are actually yours?

Today's Smithsonian Associates conversation might just change the way you think—literally. Our guest is Harvard historian of science Rebecca Lemov, who's spent the last two decades pulling back the curtain on something most of us think we're immune to: brainwashing.

But this isn't science fiction or Cold War spy stuff—though it starts there. In The Instability of Truth, Lemov takes us deep into the hidden archives of CIA experiments, cult psychology, secret black sites, and perhaps the most chilling battleground of all: the home screen on your phone.

She uncovers how techniques once used in POW camps and radical political groups are now quietly running beneath our everyday lives—inside social media feeds, AI chatbots, even dating apps. Emotional engineering, hyper-persuasion, algorithmic manipulation—it's all happening, and most of us don't even know it.

And here's the twist: education and intelligence don't protect you—they might even make you more vulnerable.

In today's interview, Rebecca Lemov opens up not only about her research but her own story of addiction, trauma, and what it took to reclaim her mind. She also offers tools to help the rest of us do the same—and why questioning your own thoughts may be the most radical act of freedom you'll ever take.

This is a gripping conversation—fascinating, unsettling, and urgently important.

And it all starts now

Wrapped, Rated & Ready: Good Housekeeping's Smartest Black Friday Picks

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

🎁 Holiday deals are everywhere—but which ones are actually worth it?

🛍️ Today's episode is brought to you by Aura Frames, and in our latest episode of Good Better Best – Good Housekeeping, I sit down with Amanda Fama, Senior Editor for Deals & Trends at Good Housekeeping, to get the real scoop on Black Friday shopping. Amanda isn't just watching price tags—she's matching deals to products actually tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute. That's a big win for smart shoppers.

📦 From the coziest slippers to trending tech and a Stranger Things x Wrangler jacket that's turning heads, Amanda shares her insider picks—and how to avoid falling for "fake deals" in your feed.

💡 For gift-givers shopping across generations, this episode is a must-listen. Thoughtful doesn't have to mean expensive. Amanda explains how to shop with intention, stay on budget, and still surprise the people you love.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here 👉 on Apple Podcasts: https://notoldbettershow.info/4456zJi

#GoodHousekeeping #LinkedInAudio #HolidayShopping #BlackFriday #NotOldBetter #Podcast #SmartSpending #GiftIdeas #Over50Living

Thank you! Today's show is brought to you by Aura Frames. Aura Frames: the gift that brings your favorite holiday traditions and memories to life every day.

You know, there are some goodbyes we never quite learn how to say.

For those of us in life's later chapters, the love we give — and receive — from our pets often takes on a deeper, quieter meaning. They're not just animals. They're our companions in the long walks, the quiet nights, the joyful mornings. They don't judge our age, our pace, or our past. They just stay, and in so doing they combat our epidemic of loneliness according to the US Surgeon General.

Today, on The Not Old Better Show – Art of Living series, we're joined by someone who recently said goodbye to their beloved dog — a companion who offered years of loyalty, humor, and comfort.

It's a story many of you will know well: the unspoken rituals, the tail thumps that meet you at the door, the warmth of a furry friend who somehow senses what you need before you even speak it. And then, the silence that follows when they're gone.

But this conversation isn't just about grief. It's about gratitude. It's about the meaning of companionship in older age — how a dog can fill a home, heal a heart, and remind us that we are never too old to love deeply, and be loved in return.

In all transparency, I know our guest, Mike Olsen, very well. I know the family. You'll hear me mention Mike's parents, who i know well, and Mike's sons, Mike's wife Sara, all dear friends. We'll talk about Mike's dog, and pets in general.

Stay with us — this one's for every listener who's ever held a paw, shared a look, or whispered goodbye through tears.

🤖🛡️ AI: Promise, Peril & Your Power — with David Eliot 🎙️

The Not Old Better Show, Technology Power Hour Interview Series

Today's show is brought to you by Aura Frames. Aura Frames: the gift that brings your favorite holiday traditions and memories to life every day.

1) A story that feels both urgent and familiar.
We've all seen how AI seems to appear out of nowhere—on our screens, in news, in ads, even in family group chats. The real drama isn't whether the tech will exist. It's whether we understand it well enough to shape it. That's the promise and the warning at the heart of David Eliot's new book, Artificially Intelligent: The Very Human Story of AI. Tonight's conversation crystallized that for me: the issue is human choice, not just code.

2) Why this matters right now.
When a tool can transcribe decades of family letters in minutes, that's beautiful. When it can clone a voice to trick a loved one, that's frightening. The line between magic and mischief is thin, and it's drawn by how cautious, curious, and informed we are. Eliot's work reminds us there is no neutral position—only paths we actively choose.

3) Practical, not just philosophical.
The best part of tonight's talk was the focus on small, concrete actions: one rule to spot scams, one conversation to have with family, one tiny habit to use AI safely. These are not lofty ideals. They're steps any of us can take this week to turn uncertainty into agency.

4) What the book offers.
It isn't a tech manual, nor a doom prophecy. It's a human story that connects history, society, and individual lives—showing how AI's past, present, and future are intertwined with our choices. That perspective matters because it positions you as part of the story, not just a passive observer. David Eliot

5) A call to read, learn, act.
If you want more than headlines—if you want a guide to understand what AI actually is, how it came to be, and what you can do next—this is the book to open. It's priced accessibly, and it's aimed at readers who want clarity, not confusion.

📚 This week on The Not Old Better Show, we welcome Milana Anderson, multiple gold medal–winning author of Animal Fairy Tales and Book X, a poignant collection of love stories. Today's episode is brought to you by Longevity Gummies, powered by Mitopure

Milana's 177 short stories feature unforgettable animal characters—like a boxing rhino, two feuding porcupines, and a dream-filled koala—each delivering life lessons on empathy, resilience, and transformation. These tales do more than entertain; they encourage emotional growth and spark imagination in children and adults alike.

In our conversation, Milana shares how her Siberian childhood, deep love for the arts, and desire to heal through storytelling led to the creation of stories that not only educate but also emotionally soothe. Psychologists often recommend emotionally rich fairy tales for their therapeutic power—and Milana's stories truly deliver.

We also talk about her next ventures: an animated film, a children's game, and new books. Her vision? To help children imagine themselves as heroes—doctors, dancers, engineers, and explorers—and for older generations to pass down these dreams through the joy of reading aloud.

For educators, grandparents, and anyone who believes in the power of storytelling to connect and heal, this is a must-listen.

🎧 Listen and share: https://notold-better.com
#MilanaAnderson #StorytellingMatters #EmotionalHealth #FairyTalesWithHeart #NotOldBetter #LegacyThroughLiterature #ChildrenAndGrandparents

🎙️Inside the Cleaning Lab: Carolyn Forté on the Products and Habits That Actually Work

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

"Your home must be immaculate!"
That's what people say to Carolyn Forté — but the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab has a refreshingly honest answer: not always. Today's episode is brought to you by Aura Frames.

In this new episode of the Good Housekeeping: Good Better Best series on The Not Old Better Show, Carolyn shares what 40+ years of product testing and cleaning expertise have taught her — and why a clean-enough home can be far more comforting than a spotless one.

We talk about why maintenance beats marathon cleaning, her favorite overlooked cleaning zones (hello, faucet sprayers and door frames), and how even a full-time expert still has dust on top of her bookcases. And yes, she gives us her take on grandma's old-school tips — the good, the bad, and the sticky (we're looking at you, hairspray-on-curtains).

This episode is filled with humor, smart habits, and product picks that work — like Stink Stopper, Diptyque's Odor Removing Candle, and good old vinegar (with a few caveats).

If you're looking for practical advice, a little reassurance, and a few good laughs about the mess we all live with, this one's worth your time.

🎧 Listen now at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Cold Weather, Warm Muscles: Smart Winter Fitness Tips for Adults Over 50

As the seasons change, so do our routines — and for many older adults, colder months bring more than just snow and chilly mornings. They bring stiffness, aches, and a steep drop in motivation to stay active.

That's why I'm thrilled to share our latest Live Long Better episode featuring Dr. Sabrena Jo, Director of Science and Research at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Dr. Jo is a nationally recognized voice in fitness science and healthy aging, and in this episode, she gives clear, compassionate advice for staying strong and steady through winter.

We discuss how cold weather affects muscles, why older adults need to warm up differently in winter, and what simple indoor exercises can improve strength and balance — without requiring expensive equipment or a gym membership.

Even more importantly, we talk about the emotional side of fitness during winter — how loneliness, low energy, and dark days can create barriers, and what role the 6 Pillars of Wellness play in staying mentally and physically well.

Whether you're caring for aging parents, guiding clients over 50, or simply working to age well yourself, this conversation is full of takeaways:

• Science-backed movement tips

• Real-world stories of transformation

• Winter-specific warm-up routines

• Practical advice for daily strength and confidence

🎧 Listen now to "Cold Weather, Warm Muscles" featuring Dr. Sabrena Jo at Not Old Better. Apple Podcasts and more.

And please feel free to share with a friend, client, or loved one who could use a little encouragement this season.

#ACEFitness #HealthyAging #NotOldBetter #LiveLongBetter #WinterWellness #ColdWeatherFitness #FunctionalFitness #WellnessOver50

Train Smart, Rest Smarter: The New Rules of Recovery for Healthy Aging

Live Long Better, The Not Old Better Fitness Interview Series, featuring Dr. Sabrena Jo

Too many older adults think rest means giving up. It doesn't. It means you're in this for the long haul.

In this episode of LIVE. LONG. BETTER, I talk with Dr. Sabrena Jo of the American Council on Exercise about why recovery is not a pause from progress—it's part of it. We cover how rest fuels resilience, how to avoid burnout, and why smarter training—not harder—leads to better aging.

This is for anyone who wants to stay active, strong, and sharp well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond.

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

#LiveLongBetter #HealthyAging #RestAndRecovery #NotOldBetter #FitnessOver50