The Not Old - Better Show

Paul Vogelzang
The Not Old - Better Show

The Not Old – Better Show is a radio show that is broadcast over the Internet using podcast technology discussing the hottest issues and topics that fascinate and inform those 50+ age Americans and are of interest and concern to boomers. Not Old – Better viewers and listeners can “tune in” whenever they want, giving them the freedom to enjoy the show in the gym, in the car, at home or work. A SHOW FOR THOSE 50+, BY THOSE 50+ Talk About Better®

  1. The Indispensables: How the Marblehead Regiment Saved Washington’s Army

    10H AGO

    The Indispensables: How the Marblehead Regiment Saved Washington’s Army

    The Indispensables: How the Marblehead Regiment Saved Washington’s Army The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series 🎧 They didn’t just serve Washington—they saved the Revolution. Listen now: 👉 https://apple.co/3FAbebT 🪖 They weren't just soldiers. They were fishermen, craftsmen, abolitionists, and immigrants. 🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 Black, white, Native American, and Hispanic—united not by uniform, but by purpose. 🎙️ On the latest episode of The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates series, I sat down with acclaimed military historian and author Patrick K. O’Donnell to uncover the nearly lost story of The Indispensables—a Marblehead, Massachusetts regiment that quite literally carried the Revolution on their backs... and in their boats.   Patrick O’Donnell will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up and the title of his presentation is The Indispensables: How the Marblehead Regiment Saved Washington’s Army. Check out our show notes today for more details, but we have Smithsonian Associate Patrick O’Donnell today! 🌊 From rowing Washington across the ice-filled Delaware on Christmas night... ⚓ To creating the foundations of the U.S. Navy... 🧪 To leading one of America’s first public health responses to a deadly virus outbreak... …these soldier-mariners defined what it means to serve a country still being imagined. 📚 Patrick’s storytelling is immersive, human, and deeply researched—bringing back voices that history left behind. Including the “canceled” Revolutionary War-era doctor who was shunned, then went on to save the entire Continental Army. 🇺🇸 This isn’t just a story of battle—it’s a story of character, community, and what happens when ordinary people do extraordinary things. If you believe in the power of history to teach us something about the present… this one’s worth your time. 🔗 Listen now: https://apple.co/3FAbebT 💬 And if you’re moved by the conversation—drop a comment or share with someone who’d love this. NotOldBetter #SmithsonianAssociates #AmericanHistory #Leadership #Veterans #MilitaryHistory #RevolutionaryWar #PatrickODonnell #LifelongLearning #AgingBoldly #DiversityInHistory For more details, please check out Smithsonian Associates:  https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/indispensables

    34 min
  2. Vikings Were Here: Love Notes, Lost Games, and the Hidden Lives Beneath the Helmets

    6D AGO

    Vikings Were Here: Love Notes, Lost Games, and the Hidden Lives Beneath the Helmets

    🔍 When most of us think “Viking,” we picture raiders, longboats, and epic battles. But what if the true story was quieter—yet even more powerful? Historian and BBC broadcaster Dr. Eleanor Barraclough joins us for an unforgettable Smithsonian Associates episode of The Not Old Better Show to talk about her new book, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age.  Dr. Barraclough will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up and the title of her presentation is  Hidden Histories of the Viking Age.  Check out our website for more details at  https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/viking-age In our conversation, we go far beyond helmets and heroics. Dr. Barraclough shares how artifacts like carved antler combs, rune-covered graffiti, and tiny gaming pieces reveal the daily lives of Viking women, children, farmers, artisans, and travelers. It’s not just about who fought and conquered—but who cooked, cursed, loved, and played. She also talks about why we need to rethink our historical framework—not as fixed timelines and famous names, but as rivers of human experience, emotion, and connection. If you're over 50—or simply curious about the past—this conversation offers a reminder that history is less about textbooks and more about touchstones. 🎧 Listen here: https://apple.co/3FAbebT #NotOldBetter #SmithsonianAssociates #VikingAge #HistoricalResearch #PublicHistory #EmbersOfTheHands #HumanHistory #LifelongLearning

    34 min
  3. Separate Paths: Why Canada Rejected America’s Revolution

    JUN 30

    Separate Paths: Why Canada Rejected America’s Revolution

    📚 What if Canada had become part of the United States? In 1774, the Continental Congress sent heartfelt letters to Quebec—inviting Canadians to join the American Revolution. When the letters didn’t work, they tried something else: invasion. Smithsonian Associate, author, historian, Ralph Nurnberger joins The Not Old Better Show in partnership with Smithsonian Associates to explain this little-known history. Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nurnberger will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates on August 21, 2025, and the title of his presentation is "One Border, Two Nations: U.S.–Canadian Relations, 1774–1816." From diplomatic missions with Benjamin Franklin to failed military campaigns in the Canadian snow, Ralph reveals how America’s northern dreams unraveled. But this isn’t just a story about war—it’s about identity. While Americans were building a nation based on liberty and representation, Canadians were choosing something different: cultural preservation, religious freedom, and a path loyal to Britain. The rejection wasn’t personal—it was defining. And it helped shape the two countries we know today. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://notold-better.com 🎙️ With Paul Vogelzang and guest Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nurnberger #Leadership #History #CanadaUSRelations #SmithsonianAssociates #NotOldBetter #LifelongLearning Smithsonian Associate Ralph Nurnberger will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates on August 21, 2025, and the title of his presentation is "One Border, Two Nations: U.S.–Canadian Relations, 1774–1816." https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/u-s-canadian-relations-1774-1816

    33 min
  4. Birth of a City: From New Amsterdam to New York

    JUN 28

    Birth of a City: From New Amsterdam to New York

    🚢 History wasn’t just written—it was negotiated. And in 1664, the fate of a small but thriving colony on Manhattan Island changed forever. I recently spoke with historian and author Russell Shorto, whose new book, Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America, pulls back the curtain on the overlooked moment when New Amsterdam became New York—not through bloody battle, but through bold negotiation. This story isn’t just about the Dutch and English. It’s about Indigenous displacement, the early seeds of American capitalism, and the founding contradictions that still echo today—from religious tolerance to racial injustice. What happens when a multicultural, multiethnic, profit-driven colony suddenly comes under new ownership? Russell’s research, drawing from newly translated Dutch documents, challenges the narrative most of us were taught. And for those of us 50 and over—who lived through civil rights movements, global realignments, and reckonings of our own—it’s a timely reminder that the past is never settled. 🎙️ Listen to our full conversation on The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Series. If you think you know how Manhattan became the “capital of the world,” think again. 👉 Hear the episode at: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3FAbebT #HistoryMatters #NotOldBetter #RussellShorto #TakingManhattan #SmithsonianAssociates

    31 min
  5. Grill Smarter, Cook Wilder: Inside BBQ’s Hottest Trends with Nicole Papantoniou!

    JUN 26

    Grill Smarter, Cook Wilder: Inside BBQ’s Hottest Trends with Nicole Papantoniou!

    🔥👩‍🍳 Ready to revolutionize your grilling experience? Today on The Not Old Better Show, we're sizzling with Nicole Papantoniou, Director of Good Housekeeping’s Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab! From the timeless debate—charcoal vs. gas—to futuristic smart grills controlled by AI and Bluetooth, we’ve got the juiciest grilling insights just for you. 🌭📲🔥 Nicole shares expert tips on embracing eco-friendly grilling, experimenting with plant-based BBQ, mastering live-fire cooking, and even achieving restaurant-quality pizza right in your backyard oven. 🌱🍕🌿 Grilling has never been hotter—literally and figuratively! Whether you're a seasoned backyard chef or eager to level up your cookouts, Nicole’s innovative, mouthwatering advice will inspire you to heat things up creatively, sustainably, and deliciously. 🍔🌶️ 🎧 Tune in and fire up your imagination—and your grill! #GrillingTrends #CookingInnovation #NotOldBetterShow

    26 min
  6. Chains, Chords and Grace: The Redemption of John Lee Hooker, Jr

    JUN 25

    Chains, Chords and Grace: The Redemption of John Lee Hooker, Jr

    🎸 From prison cell to pulpit. 🎤 From opening for his father to praying with Keith Richards. 🙏 From blues to grace. Rev. John Lee Hooker, Jr. has lived a life most wouldn’t believe—if it weren’t all true. Born into blues royalty as the son of John Lee Hooker, he seemed destined for the stage. But addiction, crime, and incarceration rewrote the script… until faith and purpose gave him a new one. In this episode of The Not Old Better Show, I sat down with Rev. Hooker to talk about: 🔁 Returning to Soledad Prison—first to perform, then to serve time, then again as a prison chaplain. 🎶 Escaping the shadow of the blues and creating a new sound based in redemption, not regret. ❤️ His journey back to family, fatherhood, and legacy. 🕊 What it truly means to start over after 50. This isn’t just a music story. It’s a human story. One of resilience, recovery, and the reality that life doesn’t end at 50—it deepens. 💥 As Rev. Hooker says: “I used to glamorize the blues. Now I testify.” 🎧 Listen to this unforgettable conversation at: https://apple.co/3FAbebT #Redemption #MusicLegacy #Over50 #Transformation #NotOldBetter #LifeAfterAddiction

    35 min
  7. Dignity, Data, and the Decisions That Shape Our Later Years

    JUN 24

    Dignity, Data, and the Decisions That Shape Our Later Years

    📊 Over 450,000 voices. One powerful message: dignity in aging matters. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Liz Pearce, Senior Living Product Director at U.S. News & World Report, on The Not Old – Better Show. Liz and her team help families across the country navigate one of life’s biggest transitions: choosing the right senior living community. 🏡 U.S. News’ 2025 Best Senior Living Ratings are more than numbers—they reflect real experiences from residents and their loved ones. Their input shapes how communities are recognized for outstanding care, safety, and compassion. ✨ In our conversation, Liz shares what today’s older adults are truly looking for—not just services, but dignity, trust, and a sense of belonging. She also explains how digital tools are evolving to support families at every step of their decision-making process. 💻👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 One of the most powerful takeaways? “We evaluate communities, not companies,” Liz says. “Because it’s the people—not the brand—that shape the experience.” 👏 🎧 Listen to this inspiring episode and explore how data, compassion, and care come together to help us all age well. 🔗 https://apple.co/3FAbebT #USNWR #SeniorLiving #AgingWell #LeadershipInHealthcare #JournalismMatters #CareWithCompassion #NotOldBetter

    25 min
  8. Riding with History: Jefferson, Madison, and the Journey that Shaped a Nation

    JUN 20

    Riding with History: Jefferson, Madison, and the Journey that Shaped a Nation

    🐎 When Friendship Shapes Nations: The Untold Journey of Jefferson & Madison 🇺🇸 Ever imagine two founding fathers on horseback, pondering America's future as they ride through rugged landscapes, confronting pest infestations, cultural discoveries, and their own biases? Thomas Jefferson and James Madison did exactly that in their remarkable 1791 journey through Upstate New York and New England. 📚 Smithsonian Associate, author, historian Louis Masur explores this intriguing chapter in his compelling new book, A Journey North: Jefferson, Madison, and the Forging of a Friendship. Their trip wasn't simply about crop pests or maple syrup—it was about unity, vision, and a deepening bond that would echo throughout history. Check out Louis Masur's upcoming presentation at Smithsonian Associates! 🌳 This friendship trip had surprising encounters: from meeting a free Black farmer running a prosperous farm with white workers, to engaging Native American communities, to tackling agricultural threats like the dreaded Hessian fly. What did they truly learn about race, equality, and nationhood along the way? 🤔 Jefferson later said this friendship was "a source of constant happiness." But how did personal affection shape political strategy and influence America's path toward unity, amidst deep regional tensions and looming divisions? 🎧 Curious to learn more? Join me in an insightful conversation with Louis Masur on The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3FAbebT Let's reflect on friendship, leadership, and the powerful lessons history offers us today. 🌟 Check out Smithsonian Associates for more details:  https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/jefferson-madison-and-friendship

    30 min
See All (911)

4.7
out of 5
101 Ratings

About

The Not Old – Better Show is a radio show that is broadcast over the Internet using podcast technology discussing the hottest issues and topics that fascinate and inform those 50+ age Americans and are of interest and concern to boomers. Not Old – Better viewers and listeners can “tune in” whenever they want, giving them the freedom to enjoy the show in the gym, in the car, at home or work. A SHOW FOR THOSE 50+, BY THOSE 50+ Talk About Better®

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Vogelzang
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    911
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Not Old - Better Show
  • Show Website
    The Not Old - Better Show

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