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...
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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....
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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GOLDEN YEARS: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age: James Chappel
The Not Old - Better Show
Welcome to on radio and podcast. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today, we’re talking about something that affects every single one of us—aging. But not just the personal experience of getting older. We’re talking about how old age itself was invented—how retirement, security, and dignity in later life were shaped by policies, culture, and economics, and why, for many, those promises now feel uncertain. My guest today is historian James Chappel, author of the remarkable new book, available at Apple Books . Dr. James Chappel will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. The title...
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1FitLife Fit & Fabulous Over 40: Fitness Friday with Jane Marcus
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1FitLife Fit & Fabulous Over 40: Fitness Friday with Jane Marcus The Not Old Better Show, Fitness Friday Interview Series Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Fitness Friday edition. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today, we’re cutting through the noise and getting real about health, fitness, and aging strong. If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you as you hit midlife, or you’re tired of one-size-fits-all health advice that doesn’t actually fit, then you’re in the right place. My guest today is , nutrition expert, and the powerhouse behind 1FitLife: Fit & Fabulous...
info_outlineWelcome 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 her own music, Taylor Swift has consistently challenged the norms of the music business—and won. And now, her record-breaking tour has helped spark a Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation.
But what does it all mean? For the music industry, for local economies, and for the way we view power in the hands of superstars? To answer those questions, we’re joined by Smithsonian Associate Dr. Kara Reynolds, an economist from American University, whose expertise lies in analyzing economic inequality, market power, and the fascinating world of superstars.
Dr. Kara Reynolds will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up for a full presentation titled: Swiftnomics: The Economics of Taylor Swift. But we have Smithsonian Associate Dr. Kara Reynolds today for a brief tasts of what’s to come. A self-proclaimed Swiftie, Smithsonian Associate Dr. Kara Reynolds takes us behind the scenes of the Eras Tour’s financial ripple effects and breaks down what Swift’s singular influence tells us about the economics of music, gender discrimination, and the forces shaping the modern entertainment industry.
So, sit back and get ready. Because this is not just about Taylor Swift—it’s about the bigger picture of how art, economics, and justice collide. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and this is the Not Old Better Show."
My thanks to Smithsonian Associate Dr. Kara Reynolds for her generosity and time. Dr. Kara Reynolds will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up for a full presentation titled: Swiftnomics: The Economics of Taylor Swift.My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show.
Smithsonian Associates is celebrating its 60th Anniversary, and 2025 will be filled with great episodes and interviews…check back here often. My thanks to Sam Heninger and Miranda Heninger for all they do to support the show. 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, Smithsonian Associates interview series on radio and podcast.
https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/swiftonomics