The Aerobiome: An Invisible Ecosystem - Smithsonian Associate Carl Zimmer
The Not Old - Better Show
The Aerobiome: An Invisible Ecosystem - Smithsonian Associate Carl Zimmer The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series Today on , we welcome award-winning science writer and New York Times columnist Carl Zimmer—author of , available at With every breath we take—more than 20,000 each day—we draw in not just oxygen, but thousands of invisible organisms: fungi, bacteria, pollen, even algae. This unseen ecosystem, the aerobiome, surrounds us every moment, yet until recently, it was barely studied. Smithsonian Associate Carl Zimmer will be appearing at Smithsonian...
info_outline
The Garage Sale Millionaire: Make Money with Hidden Finds from Garage Sales to Storage Unit Auctions and Everything in Between
The Not Old - Better Show
Welcome back to The Not Old – Better Show! I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and today, we’re talking about turning clutter into cash, attic junk into treasures, and maybe—just maybe—your next garage sale into a goldmine. Think about it—how many of us have boxes of old collectibles, furniture gathering dust, or a closet filled with clothes we haven’t worn in a decade? Downsizing and decluttering can feel overwhelming, but what if I told you that hidden in those stacks of “stuff” could be real money—thousands of dollars just waiting to be uncovered? Well, today’s guest knows...
info_outline
The Balanced Brain with Smithsonian Associate Dr. Camilla Nord
The Not Old - Better Show
The Balanced Brain with Smithsonian Associate Dr. Camilla Nord The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series Welcome to . I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today, as part of our Inside Science interview series, we’re diving deep into the most powerful organ you possess: your brain. Think about this for a moment: what if your brain isn’t broken, but simply trying to regain balance in a world that constantly throws it off-kilter? What if pleasure, pain, memory, and mood—all the things that make you you—are less about mystery and more about biology? Today, we’re joined by the...
info_outline
The Day Washington Nearly Fell: SA, Dr. Robert Watson on the Civil War’s Forgotten Gamble
The Not Old - Better Show
The Day Washington Nearly Fell: Smithsonian Associate, Dr. Robert Watson on the Civil War’s Forgotten Gamble The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series Washington almost fell in 1864. 🇺🇸 Hear the untold story today. 🎙️ Welcome to s—I'm Paul Vogelzang, and today’s episode takes us straight into the heart of history… a moment most Americans have never heard of… and one we came this close to never recovering from. 📖 Rebels at the Gates is the title of Smithsonian Associate Dr. Robert Watson’s thrilling new book, will be appearing at coming up....
info_outline
Jerry Butler & Curtis Mayfield: Their Forgotten Story: Music Historian Scott Shea
The Not Old - Better Show
Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, the podcast for those who believe life gets better—and even sweeter—with age. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and today we’re diving into the soul-stirring legacy of two musical giants whose voices, harmonies, and vision shaped the very sound of a generation: If you grew up spinning 45s on your record player or gathered around the radio to hear those smooth, soaring harmonies, then you already know that Mayfield and Butler weren’t just voices—they were storytellers, activists, and pioneers of a sound that broke barriers. Together, they helped...
info_outline
Enough is Enuf: Why Isn’t English Easier To Spell? Smithsonian Associate Gabe Henry
The Not Old - Better Show
Enough is Enuf: Why Isn’t English Easier To Spell? Smithsonian Associate Gabe Henry THE NOT OLD BETTER SHOW, SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES INTERVIEW SERIES 📚 Ever wondered why English spelling makes no sense? 🤯 Why does G in George sound different from G in gorge? And why are we still spelling enough like that?! Author Gabe Henry joins The Not Old Better Show to unravel 500 years of failed spelling reform. From Twain to texting, is change finally here? 🔡✨ Listen now! 🎧👇 🔗 Welcome to I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and today, we’re diving into the wonderfully chaotic,...
info_outline
Mike Donlin: A Rough and Rowdy Life From New York Baseball Idol to Stage and Screen
The Not Old - Better Show
Mike Donlin: A Rough and Rowdy Life From New York Baseball Idol to Stage and Screen The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living Interview Series Ladies and gentlemen, picture this: A baseball star so good they called him “Turkey Mike,” a man who could hit, run, and put on a show at the plate like nobody else. A fan favorite, a heartthrob, a natural entertainer. But also—a brawler, a drinker, a man with a temper so fierce he got himself suspended almost as often as he hit home runs. And then? He walked away. Right at the peak of his career, with numbers that could have made him a legend, did...
info_outline
Older vs. Elder: Redefining Aging, Wisdom, and Legacy with Dr. Marc B. Cooper
The Not Old - Better Show
What if growing older wasn’t just about adding years but about stepping into wisdom, influence, and purpose? What if instead of fading into the background, we embraced a new role—a role of guidance, leadership, and transformation? Today, we’re speaking with someone who has dedicated his life to redefining what it truly means to age. is a coach, author, and thought leader who challenges the idea that aging is simply about preservation. Instead, he asks us to consider: Are we merely “Older,” or are we evolving into “Elder”? Because there is a difference. Older is...
info_outline
Music Tdoay: Sarah McConnell Waltzing Wind
The Not Old - Better Show
Today’s special guest, singer, songwriter, and musician, , is a remarkable example of how life’s twists and turns can lead us to discover our true purpose. A Nashville-based singer-songwriter with a background in social work, Sarah has spent the past 16 years bringing the joy and healing power of music to seniors through her nonprofit, . This organization started with a simple, heartfelt idea: connect talented musicians with older adults, especially those who are isolated or living with conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. What began as a personal effort to lift her own mother’s...
info_outline
Smithsonian Associates: Bright Circle: Five Remarkable Transcendentalist Women
The Not Old - Better Show
Welcome to on radio and podcast. In 1839, five women gathered in a Boston parlor, asking two profound questions: What are we born to do? How shall we do it? Their answers helped shape one of the most important intellectual movements in American history—Transcendentalism. We know the names Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. But what about Mary Moody Emerson, Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, Lydia Jackson Emerson, and Margaret Fuller? These women weren’t just observers of the movement; they were its architects. They nurtured its philosophy, challenged its...
info_outlineToday’s special guest, singer, songwriter, and musician, Sarah Martin McConnell, is a remarkable example of how life’s twists and turns can lead us to discover our true purpose. A Nashville-based singer-songwriter with a background in social work, Sarah has spent the past 16 years bringing the joy and healing power of music to seniors through her nonprofit, Music for Seniors.
This organization started with a simple, heartfelt idea: connect talented musicians with older adults, especially those who are isolated or living with conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. What began as a personal effort to lift her own mother’s spirits after Hurricane Katrina has blossomed into a citywide—and now national—program that lights up lives through live music. Sarah’s work has shown that music has a magical ability to spark memories, create community, and bring joy to people of all ages, especially those who need it most.
Today, we’ll explore Sarah’s inspiring journey, from singing alongside her mother during a challenging time to building an award-winning nonprofit that has touched countless lives. We’ll hear stories of resilience, creativity, and music’s incredible impact—stories that will move and inspire anyone who’s ever cared for a parent, grandparent, or friend.
So, whether you’re a music lover, a caregiver, or someone seeking purpose in your next chapter, this episode is for you. Sit back, relax, and join us as we celebrate the healing power of music and the extraordinary legacy of Sarah Martin McConnell.
Thanks to Sarah Martin McConnell, singer-songwriter and founder of Music For Seniors. Please enjoy Sarah’s latest music and stay tuned for her debut album, which we will link to soon. My thanks to Sam Heninger and Miranda Heninger for all they do to keep the ships here running on time and for keeping me honest. My thanks to you our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe and Let’s Talk About Better. The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. Thanks, everyone and we’ll see you next time.