Quorum of the Elderly Podcast

Dan Bammes

A place where we "of a certain age" can have a rollicking good time talking about Old People stuff. And other stuff. quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Oct 16

    Amendments, Candidates and a Secret Song

    Somehow, we got some Big Announcer Guy to open the podcast with a game show soundtrack. Then Alex Nibley, Becky Moss, Josie Valdez and Marvin Payne talk about who’s running for Congress in our individual districts and about Amendment B, which would require a 60% majority vote for any ballot initiative that raises taxes. Marvin Payne also brings out his banjo to play a song that’s on his newest album - but not on the label. It’s a secret song about the train we should all get aboard. You’ll only hear it if you leave the album playing past the end - but you heard it here first. Here’s the list of resources for seniors Becky Moss was talking about. We also mentioned two other podcasts: Prior Authority on the UtahCares.health website and Alex Nibley’s film analysis podcast. Music: American Express by Marvin Payne used by permission. unCafecito at 838 W North Temple in Salt Lake City is the home of Quorum of the Elderly. Stop by for “Latin Flavor in Every Taza.” Thanks to Cynthia Lemus for great coffee and a great connection to the community. ©2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  2. Oct 13

    Becky Moss: Always an Activist

    Between our regular group sessions for Quorum of the Elderly, we’ve been talking to some of the individuals who’ve been part of the group. We’re calling this the Quorum’s Executive Committee. Becky Moss has an extraordinary story to tell about how she became an activist for LGBTQ+ issues and for people battling with HIV. She also tells us about her sister Peggy, who died of AIDS a few months after her four-year-old son passed away from the same disease. We begin with her deep roots in Utah, where she grew up in places as diverse as Centerville, Moab and Moroni. Becky continues with a story about subscribing to Ms. magazine as a teenager and meeting the late Gloria Steinem here in Utah. unCafecito at 838 W North Temple in Salt Lake City is the home of Quorum of the Elderly. Stop by for “Latin Flavor in Every Taza.” ©2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  3. Oct 2

    Alex Nibley: Elderly Left & Right Brain

    The Quorum of the Elderly, as the name implies, is a group endeavor, built on hearing varied voices around the table. But we’re starting something new – one on one conversations with guests who are joining the program and have something interesting to say. We’re calling this the Quorum’s Executive Committee. I’m Dan Bammes. Our first guest today is Alex Nibley, an actor and screenwriter who taught for decades at Utah Valley University. Today he hosts multiple features on Substack, talking about what he calls “practical analysis for filmmakers on cinematic storytelling principles, focused on audience connection and impact.” He’s also someone I’ve known since we were children growing up in Provo. But today, we’re talking about old people stuff – and, as the moviemakers say, that’s a whole different genre. Amygdala and Inertia, twin goddesses who govern the minds of the elderly Our thanks as always, to Cynthia Lemus, owner of unCafecito at 838 W North Temple in Salt Lake City. Stop in for “Latin flavor in every taza.” ©2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  4. Sep 11

    Silly, Sweet and the post-Trump Agenda

    Once again, the Quorum of the Elderly got together at the unCafecito coffee shop in Salt Lake City, with our regular guests and a couple of newcomers. Maureen Henry, elder law attorney and leader in public policy on senior issues Randy Kimball, songwriter, sheet metal artist and retired accountant Marvin Payne, singer, songwriter, actor and social media influencer Becky Moss, outspoken activist for the LGBTQ community and women’s issues Paul Anderson, retired radio personality and video producer and Dan Bammes, retired radio guy and podcast producer Special guest Summer Bammes also joins us this time - not yet elderly but still pretty sharp. On this episode of Quorum of the Elderly, we talk about the political agenda following the end of President Trump’s second term. Marvin Payne performs a song he’ll be adding to his upcoming album, and Randy Kimball tells us about an eatery where moose may have been on the menu. Production assistance from Paul Anderson, Summer Bammes and Ryan Newcomb. Road Kill Bar & Grill by Randy Kimball and Shine Your Light on Me by Marvin Payne used by permission. Thanks, as always, to Cynthia Lemus, owner of unCafecito. Horchata lattes are a specialty, but it’s also pumpkin spice time, Please subscribe, comment and tell your friends about Quorum of the Elderly.©2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  5. Aug 12

    Teaching, Talking and Staying Sharp

    Two teachers join us for this episode of Quorum of the Elderly. Marjorie Hermansen Eldard has taught business writing at Utah Valley University for more than 30 years. Tim Chambless is a professor emeritus of political science after teaching in the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, but he also goes to assisted living centers to talk about current events with residents. Paul Anderson is a retired radio personality and radio and video engineer. Marvin Payne is an actor, singer and songwriter, active on social media, with a new song we’ll hear in this episode, while Becky Moss is an LGBTQ+ activist who found herself reading cursive letters to a young person who wasn’t familiar with that style of writing. Producer and host Dan Bammes worked in radio for more than 50 years before turning his attention to what folks “of a certain age” might be thinking. Thanks to Summer Bammes, Jay Hobson and Paul Anderson for production assistance with this episode. Burnt Man by Marvin Payne is used by permission. Our thanks, as always, to Cynthia Lemus and unCafecito, promising “Latin Flavor in Every Taza.” 838 West North Temple in Salt Lake City. ©2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  6. Jul 9

    Primaries, Mother Earth and America 250

    Gathering once again at unCafecito in Salt Lake City, the Quorum of the Elderly looks at topics ranging from how many times you can hit “undo” to the reasoning behind the primary election losses for some senior political leaders. We move on to the Keychron keyboard giveaway (a drawing for subscribers to this podcast) and the wonderful “thock” sound it makes for us of a certain age who learned on manual typewriters. This episode of Quorum of the Elderly includes: * Kathy Van Dame, retired nurse, environmental activist * Becky Moss, activist, former radio host, retired logistics engineer * Breck England, prolific author and one-time legislative candidate * Marvin Payne, an actor, music producer and songwriter who doesn’t like watching his own movies. * Dan Bammes, host and producer, retired radio guy If you want to get in on the drawing for two Keychron K4 HE keyboards, subscribe to the podcast. It’s free (for now) and your chances of winning are very good. The deadline to subscribe is Pioneer Day, July 24th. Our thanks to Keychron for making these available. Thanks, as always, to Cynthia Lemus, the proprietor of unCafecito, for inviting us into her space at 838 W North Temple in Salt Lake City. Watch as she makes a Beso de Fresa matcha - a summer favorite. Thanks also to barista Jesús Ayón for great coffee and timely help with our setup. Paul Anderson helped with the video and logistics. (No AI faces here!) Music: Mother of Oceans by Marvin Payne used by permission ©2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

    Primaries, Mother Earth and America 250

  7. Jun 8

    "My Name is Becky Moss . . . "

    All the members of our group in this episode of Quorum of the Elderly have experience with political protests, from the recent experience of Marvin Payne to the decades-long work of activists like Josie Valdez and her husband, Mark Wheatley, who many protests from inside Utah’s state capitol during his ten terms in the Utah House of Representatives. I’ve covered my share as a reporter through the years, but Becky Moss, a champion of LGBTQ+ rights, has a strategy for avoiding too much scrutiny from the police. Just tell ‘em “My name is Becky Moss.” They can’t arrest us all. The Quorum includes:Marvin Payne, an actor, singer, songwriter, novelist and creator of children’s media. He’s also become a leading voice on social media against blind subservience to corrupt political leadership. He shares the title song from his upcoming album Suns and Stars in this episode. Mark Wheatley served for two decades in the Utah House of Representatives, working for e interests of his constituents in District 35 in Murray and Salt Lake County. He retired after many years of leadership in education at Salt Lake Community College. Mark is married to another well-known activist, Josie Valdez. She’s worked as director of diversity in the office of Salt Lake City’s mayor and on the Governor’s Council on Hispanic Affairs. Josie is a former vice-chair of the Utah Democratic Party and ran for lieutenant governor as well as for the state senate. If she’d been elected, Josie and Mark would have been the first married couple to serve in the legislature. Becky Moss is a longtime activist for LGBTQ-plus rights and a former radio host. Her work included advocating for Utah’s earliest hate crime laws. She’s also been active in Utah’s Democratic Party and ran for state chair in 2019. And I’m Dan Bammes, a retired broadcaster and journalist, veteran of more than 50 years in commercial and public radio. These days, I’m mainly just making noise in the world of podcasting and social media. As always, we’re delighted to record our podcast at unCafecito at 838 West North Temple in Salt Lake City. Toward the end of the program, Cynthia Lemus shares her insight into creating the perfect horchata latte - even as a certain national chain of coffee shops attempts a corporate version. * Production assistance from Jesús Ayón * Suns and Stars by Marvin Payne used by permission ©2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  8. May 14

    Quorum of the Elderly

    I’m just about to reach that Biblical milestone of threescore years and ten. I invited some fine friends of that certain age to join me to talk about anything that comes to mind, and we call our group The Quorum of the Elderly. We speak with authority, or at least with Audacity. The group includes:Robert Kirby, a former police officer, journalist and long-time columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune. Tom Haraldsen, a print and broadcast journalist, currently Managing Editor of the Salt Lake Business Journal and staff writer for the City Journals. Becky Moss, a former logistics engineer and veteran gay rights activist and radio host at KRCL. Marvin Payne, an actor, singer, songwriter and thoughtful Facebook contributor. And then there’s me, Dan Bammes, a retired radio newscaster who’s also taught radio journalism and worked in public relations. A few days ago, we got together at Un Cafecito, a coffee shop in Salt Lake City and began the conversation talking about the twin goddesses that seem to govern the consciousness of older folks – Amygdala and Inertia. We had a grand old time at Un Cafecito and the owner, Cynthia Lemus talked about her shop and her care for the community. And just in case you wonder what we all look like, watch the video. We hope you enjoyed Quorum of the Elderly. Your comments and participation are always welcome. Let’s get together again real soon. Credits: * Host: Dan Bammes * Art: Amygdala and Inertia were created by Google Gemini AI * Production Assistance: Summer Bammes * Production: Dyscrazia LLC * Music: Marvin Payne marvinpayne.com (Time to Take the Car Keys Away used by permission) © 2026 Dyscrazia LLC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  9. May 5

    Living High on Social Security

    In the second gathering of the Quorum of the Elderly, Becky Moss, Scott Howell, Ranee Hollinger and Marvin Payne join Dan Bammes to talk about whether we're all living luxuriously on our Social Security and Medicare benefits. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

  • 9 Episodes

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A place where we "of a certain age" can have a rollicking good time talking about Old People stuff. And other stuff. quorumoftheelderly.substack.com

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