Finding Joy in Life’s Darkest Moments: A Conversation with Steven Petrow
Release Date: 12/06/2024
Oscars 2025: Surprises, Snubs & Showdowns with Noah Gittell!
The Not Old - Better Show
Welcome to the on radio and podcast. I’m Paul Vogelzang. The Academy Awards are Hollywood’s grandest night—the moment when months of speculation, surprise wins, and snubs all culminate in one golden evening. And this year, the road to Oscar glory has been anything but predictable. Was Anora’s big night at the Critics Choice, DGA, and PGA the ultimate confirmation that it’s the Best Picture frontrunner, or is there still room for a shocking upset? Will Sean Baker walk away with Best Director, or could someone else—maybe The Brutalist’s Brady Corbet or Emilia...
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Hello, and welcome to The Not Old Better Show! Today’s episode is brought to you by Acorns. makes it easy to start automatically saving and investing so your money has a chance to grow for you, your kids, and your retirement. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and as always, I want to thank you for joining us today, where it’s never too late to learn, live, and grow, too. Today, we’re starting something special—celebrating winners and honorees of the prestigious Golden Door Awards. These awards recognize extraordinary individuals who are using their voices, creativity, and...
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Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series. She’s a global phenomenon, a cultural icon, and now… an economic case study. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour wasn’t just a concert—it was a movement. It shattered records, raked in over $1 billion in revenue, and gave cities across the world a much-needed financial boost. But this story goes deeper than ticket sales and glittering stadiums. This is about the power of one woman to disrupt entire industries. From her fight against Spotify’s streaming royalties to her battle for ownership of...
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Welcome to interview series on radio and podcast., the podcast for those who believe it’s never too late to explore, learn, and live a meaningful life. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and as always, I’m so glad you’re with us today. Today’s episode is one you won’t want to miss. We’re diving into the life of one of history’s most fascinating figures—Benjamin Franklin. But not the Franklin you think you know. When we hear his name, we might picture the Founding Father, the diplomat, or the man on the $100 bill. Yet Franklin was also a brilliant scientist—an innovator and...
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Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History with Archaeozoologist Dr. William Taylor
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Welcome back to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates series! Today, we’re galloping through time to uncover a story that’s larger than life, spanning continents, centuries, and civilizations—a story of how one magnificent animal changed the world. That’s right—today, we’re talking about horses. Imagine the thundering hooves of a herd sweeping across the Eurasian steppes, the clash of chariots in ancient battles, the whispers of trade deals along the Silk Road, and the resilience of Indigenous cultures in the Americas. At the heart of these pivotal moments in human...
info_outlineHello and welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Asscociates Interview Series on radio and podcast. Today we celebrate the joys and challenges of life after 50 with inspiring stories, insightful conversations, and plenty of good cheer. I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang, and today’s episode is one you won’t want to miss.
We’ve all felt the weight of life’s disappointments—unexpected losses, the heartbreak of saying goodbye to loved ones, or even the relentless stress of a world in turmoil. It’s in those darkest moments that joy can seem impossibly out of reach. But what if joy isn’t something we find only in bright, happy times? What if it’s something we can discover, nurture, and even create in the midst of life’s struggles?
Joining us today is someone who has done just that. Author, columnist, Smithsonian Associate Steven Petrow is a celebrated journalist, essayist, and author whose work has graced the pages of The Washington Post and The New York Times. Steven Petrow will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. Please check out our show notes for more details and Smithsonian links, but we have Steven Petrow today. He is known for his poignant reflections on aging, health, and civility. But Steven’s latest book, The Joy You Make: Find the Silver Linings—Even on Your Darkest Days, is perhaps his most personal and uplifting work yet.
Steven isn’t just talking theory here—he’s lived this truth. After losing both of his parents in the same year, navigating the heartbreak of divorce, and watching his sister battle a terminal illness, Steven embarked on a deeply personal journey to understand joy. What he discovered was life-changing: that joy isn’t the same as happiness, and that it can be found even in the most unlikely places.
In our conversation today, Steven will share moving stories from his own life, wisdom from experts he interviewed, and practical ways we can all cultivate joy—whether it’s through connecting with others, embracing gratitude, or finding humor in the little things.
My thanks to Smithsonian Associate Steven Petrow for his generous time today. Please check out our show notes for more details and Smithsonian links, about Steven Petrow and his new book, The Joy You Make: Find the Silver Linings—Even on Your Darkest Days. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show. My thanks to Sam Heninger for his work here. My thanks to you, our wonderful audience on radio and pdocast. Be well, be safe and Let’s Talk About Better®. The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associatesinterview series.
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