The Not Old - Better Show

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living series. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today’s episode is for anyone who’s ever thought, “Maybe you can joke your way through life after all.” Because our guest today—Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, bestselling author, and unofficial king of common sense absurdity—Dave Barry—has done just that.

Yes, that Dave Barry. The man who warned us about exploding toilets, tangled with telemarketers until they stopped answering their own phones, and wrote the kind of newspaper columns that made you snort coffee out your nose on a Sunday morning. He's been called “the funniest man in America” by the New York Times, and in his latest book, Class Clown, he finally turns that razor-sharp wit on himself.

Today’s conversation is a fun one, although, and you can hear this...I was nervous. At one point during a roundabout question from me, Dave asks: “ iwas wondering wehre you were going with that?” I left it in the edit for your enjoyment. I’ve talked to 100’s of big time guests from all walks of life, like Smithsonian, Prevention Magazine, Good Housekeeping and have never been tongue tied or nervous...not today. That’s on me as, Dave is a wonderful guest, and he shares what it was like growing up in a world before Wi-Fi, when entertainment meant throwing rocks and preparing for nuclear war by hiding under desks. He talks about his path from a rock band in the '60s to the pages of The Miami Herald, where he turned exploding Pop-Tarts and Rollerblade Barbie into Pulitzer-worthy satire. And yes—he really was almost crushed by a bale of airborne cocaine. Florida, folks.

But more than just laughs, Dave opens up about his late parents, his unique upbringing, and the emotional truth behind humor that doesn't always mean happiness. It's a rich, honest, and uproarious reminder that growing older doesn’t mean growing dull—and that maybe, just maybe, the class clown gets the last word.

Stay with us—because the very funny, very thoughtful Dave Barry is here. And this is The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living series, with me, award-winning host Paul Vogelzang.

Presidents and the Space Program: How Kennedy, Nixon, and Reagan Set the Trajectory

Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Inside Science Interview Series. featuring Dr. John Hogsdon

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show. I’m Paul Vogelzang and this is episode #405

As part of our Smithsonian Associates, Inside Science author interview series, our guest today is Dr.John Logsdon.

Dr. John Logsdon is often referred to as the “Dean of space policy,” and an educator, author, analyst, and historian of the presidential decisions that have shaped the U.S. space program since its inception. Dr. Logsdon will be presenting at Smithsonian Associates Inside Science author interview series, November 19, 2019. Check out our site for more details.

Dr. John Logsdon is the author of John F. Kennedy and the Race to the Moon and After Apollo? And, Richard Nixon and the American Space Program. In 1961, John F. Kennedy decided that being the leader in space was essential to the United States’ national interest, and chose to send Americans to land on the Moon as the most visible element of that quest for preeminence.

Even as Apollo 11 achieved the goal set by Kennedy, Richard Nixon decided that there was no need to set an ambitious post-Apollo objective. He mandated that the space agency should compete for priority and funding with other government programs, choosing the space shuttle as the centerpiece of NASA’s efforts.

Ronald Reagan, with his Kennedy-like rhetoric, treated the space program as an example of American exceptionalism and global leadership. He gave NASA the second half of its post-Apollo ambition, developing a space station as “the next logical step.” Though he was the first president to become enthusiastic about potential private-sector space activities, Reagan was a fiscal conservative who followed Nixon’s lead in limiting NASA’s share of the government budget to far less than what it had been during the Apollo project.

Join me and Dr. John M. Logsdon, for a discussion of how presidential leadership impacted America’s space program, featuring video clips of remarks by Kennedy, Nixon, and Reagan reflecting their views on that exploration. Dr. Logsdon will be presenting

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Uncovering Your Family's Legacy: Genealogy and Newspapers.com

The Not Old Better Show, Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. I'm Paul Vogelzang, and we’re broadcasting from just outside Washington, DC today. We are delving into the fascinating world of genealogy and family history. As part of our Back Story Family History interview series, we have a special guest today who will ignite your passion for uncovering your ancestral stories and the incredible resources available at Newspapers.com.

Our guest, Jenny Ashcraft, is a true family history enthusiast. She's also a genealogist and researcher; her love for the written word shines through her work. Jenny finds immense joy in helping others discover their family histories, whether it's immersing herself in dusty archives, deciphering manuscripts, or uncovering hidden gems in the pages of historic newspapers.

As the renowned author Alex Haley, who penned "Roots: The Saga of an American Family," aptly puts it, "In all of us, there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage—to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning."

Genealogy offers more than just historical insights; it provides profound psychological benefits, especially for older adults. It satisfies basic needs like acceptance and friendship, fulfills ego needs such as achievement and status, and contributes to self-actualization.

For our aging audience, tracing their roots can lead to a sense of accomplishment, a connection to a family legacy, and an understanding of their own worth within the context of their ancestors' lives. It also helps with the acceptance of the concept of death and mortality, a crucial aspect of our journey through life.

Moreover, older individuals who pay attention to their family health history are better equipped to manage their well-being and contribute positively to the health of future generations.

Our show today is packed with insights into genealogy, valuable resources for family research, and more. So, please join me in warmly welcoming our guest, the esteemed genealogist Jenny Ashcraft.

I want to express my gratitude to Jenny for sharing her time, expertise, and thoughtful insights with us today. You can find additional links, resources, and information on our website and explore the wealth of content available on Newspapers.com. Don't forget to visit NotOld-Better.com for details on the special programs provided by Newspapers.com.

A big thanks to

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Washington’s First World Series: When the Washington Senators Were America’s Team

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Welcome to a riveting episode of the Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on Radio and Podcast. Today, we embark on a journey back in time to 1924, a year that marked a pinnacle moment in sports history, capturing the spirit and imagination of a nation.

In an era dominated by legends like Babe Ruth and overshadowed by teams with storied legacies, a group of scrappy underdogs, the Washington Senators, dared to challenge the status quo. In the centennial year of the Senators’ victorious World Series run, our guest today is Smithsonian Associate sports historian and author Fred Frommer. Fred Frommer has written the new book, You Gotta Have Heart: Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals . Fred Frommer and baseball author Gary Sarnoff, who has a new book out on the '24 Senators. Both Fred and Gary tell us today about the compelling story of this history-making team and touch on the mostly fallow years that followed and will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up. Please check out our website for more details, but Fred Frommer joins us today, as brief tease of his upcomining Smithsonian Associates presentation...stay tuned.

Fred Frommer tells a story of a team guided by a 27-year-old rookie player-manager, Bucky Harris, and fueled by the indomitable spirit of an aging pitcher, Walter Johnson. Together they embarked on a quest to dethrone the baseball giants of their day, the New York Yankees. Against all odds and amidst a backdrop of cultural upheaval and innovation, the Senators not only captured the hearts of Americans but also clinched the World Series title, becoming a symbol of hope and resilience. Join us as we delve into this incredible story with Smithsonian Associate, author and sports historian Fred Frommer, exploring the Senators' unlikely victory, its impact on the na

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Solving the Climate Crisis: Dr. John Berger’s Blueprint for a Sustainable Future

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show Science Interview Series on radio and podcast, I’m your host, Paul Vogelzang. Today’s episode is brought to you by Diet Smoke: beautifully balanced cannabis.

We have a truly compelling episode lined up for you. We’re diving into one of the most critical issues of our time—climate change. Joining us is Dr. John Berger, a renowned environmental science and policy specialist, journalist, and author of the groundbreaking book, Solving the Climate Crisis: Frontline Reports from the Race to Save the Earth.

Dr. Berger’swork is nothing short of revolutionary. He has spent over six years meticulously researching and traveling the globe, interviewing a diverse array of experts from governors to ranchers, scientists to entrepreneurs, all to uncover viable solutions to the climate crisis. His book presents a three-pronged approach: leveraging cutting-edge technology to achieve 100% clean renewable energy, enhancing and protecting our natural ecosystems, and updating laws and policies to foster social and environmental justice.

In this episode, we’ll explore the innovative technologies like clean steel and “green” cement, the role of forests and agricultural lands in storing greenhouse gases, and the vital social changes needed to support these efforts. Dr. Berger will also share his insights on the economic opportunities that a clean-energy transition could bring, including the creation of millions of jobs and significant financial savings.

Our discussion will delve into the political and social hurdles that stand in the way of these solutions and what we can do as individuals and communities to contribute to this critical fight.

Listeners, this is more than just an episode—it’s a call to action. Our planet’s future is in our hands, and the time to act is now. Stay tuned as we uncover the strategies and innovations that could save our Earth. And now, let’s welcome our distinguished guest, Dr. John Berger.

I’m Paul Vogelzang, and this is The Not Old Better Show.

My thanks to our sponsor today, Diet Smoke: beautifully balanced cannabis. Please support our sponsors as they in turn, support the show. Thanks to John Berger, his expertise, all his patience in answering my questions and his new book, Solving the Climate Crisis: Frontline Reports from the Race to Save the Earth.My thanks to you our wonderful audience here on The Not Old Better Show Science Interview Series on radio and podcast. My thanks to Executive Producer Sam Heninger for all his work on audio and for making things run smoothly here on the show. Please be well, be safe and Let’s Talk About Better TM. The Not Old Better Show Science Interview Series on radio and podcast. Thanks, everybody and we’ll see you next week.

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