Aging ain't for Sissies

Marcy Backhus
  • 4.4 (10)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Aging isn't easy. My name is Marcy Backhus and I am your host! Make sure your complete well-being is handled with a community and information that can make it easier and FUN. Aging needs humor, which you can find in the "Aging ain't for Sissies" Podcast, along with informational guests that give us the information we need. 

  1. 4d ago

    Family Gathering Survival Guide

    Send us Fan Mail Family gatherings can flip from sweet to stressful in one sentence. We’ve all seen it: the best intentions at the table, then a stray comment about politics, money, parenting, or who “never calls,” and suddenly you’re back in an old role you thought you outgrew decades ago. We talk candidly about aging, retirement, and how family dynamics shift over time. Parents become the ones who need support, adult children make choices we don’t always understand, and siblings still know exactly how to push our buttons. I share what I’ve learned from both the families I’m part of and the ones I wish were less splintered, plus why success no longer looks like everyone behaving perfectly. For me, it looks like laughing at least once, making a memory, and leaving while we still love each other. You’ll get seven practical strategies you can use right away: lower expectations so “good enough” is the win, decide boundaries before you need them, stop trying to win conversations, let adult kids live and share their own lives, give everyone a useful role, build in breathing room, and look for the moment instead of chasing a masterpiece. We also dig into grace, taking a pause before reacting, and saying the loving thing out loud because time moves fast and the chairs around the table don’t stay filled forever. If you’re navigating holiday stress, caregiving changes, or just want healthier boundaries and better communication with family, this one is your toolkit. Subscribe, share with someone hosting soon, and leave a review so more people can find our little corner of the world.

  2. Jul 17

    A 62-Year-Old And Her 13-Year-Old Niece Talk About Growing Up And Growing Older

    Send us Fan Mail I'm on vacation this week, so I hope you'll enjoy this replay of one of my favorite episodes! This episode is a fun and honest conversation across generations. We ask each other the questions people don't always think to ask—from friendships and first memories to aging, respect, marriage, health, and what really matters at every stage of life. We don't agree on everything, but that's what makes the conversation so good. In this episode, we talk about: Why every age has something valuable to teach us.How friendships change as we move through different stages of life.Our earliest memories—and why some stay with us forever.The best age to be and why gratitude can shape every season of life.Respect for older adults, whether it's on public transportation, at home, or in everyday interactions.Advice for teens navigating social media, friendships, and growing up.Why some older adults become isolated or grumpy—and how connection can make a difference.When it's okay to ask someone's age...and when it's probably better not to.Marriage, settling down, divorce, and why your twenties are such an important time of life.Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and how these illnesses affect entire families.Retirement communities versus multigenerational living—and what we gain when generations stay connected.Exercise, appearance, and realistic ways to age as well as we can.Longevity, quality of life, and what we hope for at the end of our journey.Thanks for spending part of your day with us. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we enjoyed having it. For more episodes, resources, and ways to connect, visit www.agingaintforsissiespodcast.com. And if you have ideas for future episodes, I'd love to hear from you through the website. Enjoy the show—and I'll be back soon with brand-new episodes!

  3. Jul 10

    Volunteer Your Way To Live Longer

    Send us Fan Mail I'm on vacation this week, so we're revisiting one of my favorite episodes. I hope you enjoy this replay! This episode makes the case that volunteering isn't just a nice thing to do—it's one of the best things you can do for your health. We talk about how giving just a couple of hours each week can improve your mood, support brain health, reduce stress, and help you build meaningful connections. In this episode, we cover: Why volunteering has been linked to better health, lower blood pressure, reduced depression, and even greater longevity.The simple goal of 100 hours a year—and why consistency matters more than doing a lot all at once.How to find your perfect volunteer "flavor," whether that's in-person, remote, one-time events, or ongoing opportunities.Real-life volunteer ideas, from reading with children and calling isolated seniors to helping at food pantries and animal shelters.How to use AARP's Create The Good program to find volunteer opportunities that match your interests.Why volunteering is one of the easiest ways to build community without the awkward small talk.How to start right where you are—in your church, synagogue, condo building, neighborhood, or local organizations.If you enjoy this episode, please share it with a friend. Sharing really is caring...and maybe that counts as volunteering too! For more information, show notes, and resources, visit www.agingaintforsissiespodcast.com. I'd also love to hear from you! If you have ideas for future episodes, resources you'd like to share, or know of something that would benefit our senior community—a program, service, volunteer opportunity, or even a job opening—please reach out through the website. I always love hearing from listeners.

  4. Jul 3

    The Aging Survival Guide: Surviving the Doctor

    Send us Fan Mail We turn “surviving the doctor’s office” into a practical skill, because nobody teaches us how to be a good patient even though healthcare gets more complex with age. We share the mindset shift that changes everything: the doctor knows medicine, but we know our bodies, so we speak up and ask until we understand. • laughing at the realities of aging and nonstop appointments  • becoming the CEO of our own healthcare across multiple specialists  • treating the doctor as a partner who works with us  • dropping embarrassment and asking for plain language  • using one key question: “Can you help me understand why?”  • building a doctor visit survival kit with questions, meds, glasses, and notes  • navigating portals, paperwork, and health systems that do not connect  • keeping medication lists accurate and using one pharmacy when possible  • asking five high impact questions, considering second opinions, and knowing when to call  On my website, marcybackhusmedia.com, I'm going to have a doctor's visit survival kit for you.

  5. Jun 26

    The Aging Survival Guide: Surviving retirement

    Send us Fan Mail Our Summer Series: Aging Survival Guide Retirement stops being a vacation fantasy and turns into a real-life identity shift that forces us to answer, “Who am I now?” We share the biggest surprises that hit after leaving work behind and the simple routines that help us rebuild purpose, friendships, and joy.  • retirement as an identity change not a long break  • why too much freedom can feel overwhelming  • how relationships shift when daily life changes  • social circle shrinkage and the need to build it on purpose  • routines as emotional scaffolding after leaving work  • purpose mattering as much as money  • building a “survival kit” with habits that stick  • scheduling joy before chores to protect what feeds us  • learning a new skill each year to stay growing  • volunteering as a meaningful way to belong  • moving your body daily even in small ways  • protecting finances by getting clear and staying organized  • making new friends through repeated communities like gym or church  If today's episode reminded you that you're not alone, I'd love for you to share it with a friend.

  6. Jun 19

    Social Security Without The Headache

    Send us Fan Mail Social Security looks like a simple choice until you realize one decision can lock in your monthly income for life. I break down the key ages, the tradeoffs behind claiming early or waiting, and the practical steps I use to research benefits without getting lost in jargon.  • why Social Security is a permanent decision for most people  • the three key claiming ages and what changes at 62, full retirement age, and 70  • why taking benefits early can be smart for some situations  • separating headlines from facts when you worry about Social Security’s future  • how spousal benefits work while a spouse is alive  • how survivor benefits differ and why couples should plan together  • the uncomfortable but essential question of longevity and health  • setting up a Social Security account and checking your earnings record  • using your full financial picture to choose a claiming strategy  • avoiding bogus websites and sticking with official .gov sources  If today's episode cleared up some of that confusion around Social Security, share it with a friend.

  7. Jun 12

    Still In A Hurry

    Send us Fan Mail We catch ourselves rushing through days that are actually good, then ask the uncomfortable question of what we’re hurrying for. We talk about retirement, productivity guilt, technology, healing, and why slowing down is how we notice the life we worked so hard to build.  • summer in Chicago and the strange habit of staying rushed  • the pressure to stay productive and the belief that busy equals value  • giving ourselves permission to rest, nap, and do things for love  • noticing small moments that become real memories  • connection over efficiency, including stopping to talk with unhoused neighbors  • how technology trains impatience while trust, grief, growth, and healing take time  • a simple challenge to slow down on purpose and savor ordinary life  If you've enjoyed today's episode, share it with a friend who could use a reminder to slow down.

  8. Jun 5

    Why Healthy Aging Feels Like A Second Job

    Send us Fan Mail We talk about the hidden workload of aging and why it can feel like everything is suddenly our responsibility, from fitness and food to family and technology. We name the exhaustion, the quiet grief, and the bright side, then remind ourselves we’re doing better than we think.  • the surprise reality that healthy aging takes active management  • the daily checklist of movement, strength, protein, hydration, sleep, supplements, and screenings  • the mental load of staying “on top of” changing health advice  • the emotional weight of supporting adult children while letting them live their lives  • the tech fatigue of passwords, apps, and healthcare portals  • the small losses that pile up and make the soul tired  • the shift toward honesty, wisdom, and choosing what matters most  Keep laughing, keep moving, and keep learning

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4.4
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Aging isn't easy. My name is Marcy Backhus and I am your host! Make sure your complete well-being is handled with a community and information that can make it easier and FUN. Aging needs humor, which you can find in the "Aging ain't for Sissies" Podcast, along with informational guests that give us the information we need. 

Information

  • Creator
    Marcy Backhus
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Aging ain't for Sissies
  • Show Website
    Aging ain't for Sissies

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