🔍 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

📚 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

🚢 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

🔥👩‍🍳 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

🎸 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

📊 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

🐎 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

We’re talking grill season like you’ve never heard it before with Good Housekeeping's Kate Merker

Good Better Best, The Not Old Better Show, Good Housekeeping Interview Series

🔥 Summer just got a whole lot more delicious — and more intentional.

This week on The Not Old Better Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kate Merker, Chief Food Director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group and the culinary genius behind Good Housekeeping’s legendary Test Kitchen. We’re talking smart summer grilling — not just sizzling steaks, but heart-healthy, high-flavor meals that celebrate aging, wellness, and the joy of good food.

Kate brings nearly 20 years of experience in food media and fine dining — and she brings that knowledge home to our listeners in the most accessible, fun, and inspiring way. In our conversation, she shares her favorite simple grill recipes, her secret weapon ingredients, and why grilling for one can be just as joyful as cooking for a crowd.

What struck me most is how Kate reframes grilling from a once-in-a-while indulgence to a vibrant, everyday tool for better living. She talks about cooking as connection — to ourselves, to others, to health — and her insights speak especially to those of us navigating new phases of life. Whether you're retired, an empty nester, or just trying to cook smarter, this episode is for you. 🥗🍢

👨‍🍳 Plus: We dive into her work at Good Housekeeping, what it takes to develop a recipe readers can trust, and how the GH+ Membership gives exclusive access to all this smart, science-backed content — including product testing opportunities, expert interviews, and member-only recipes.

🎧 If you’re hungry for change — or just a better way to do summer dinner — I invite you to listen in. The grill's hot, the ideas are fresh, and you won’t want to miss what Kate has to say.

👇 Tune in now and taste what’s possible.
#NotOldBetter #HealthyAging #GrillSmart #GHKitchen #WellnessOver60 #SmartCooking #Hearst #GoodHousekeepingPlus