Crow's Feet: Life As We Age

Your Social Connections May Help You Live Longer

“Part of what I found were cultural norms that view the second half of life as being as important and even more important than the first half of life, in terms of what you can do for yourself and for society,“ said Ken Stern, in conversation with host Jane Trombley.Ken, author of Healthy to 100: How Strong Ties Lead to Long Lives (link in notes, below) explored the “culture of longevity” in Asia — Singapore, Korea, and Japan — as well as communities in Spain and Italy. An expression of those cultural norms, he noted, was found in Singapore, where “they view social connection and social health as being critical parts of public health,” with an emphasis on multigenerational housing predicated on the importance of family ties.  In Korea, he explored the cultural importance of lifelong learning, codified in the national constitution in 1990. In Japan, Ken found the creation of “ essentially a second work culture for older workers that's much less about prestige, and more about finding work that brings you into contact with other people.”Ken is a gifted storyteller, bringing each region to life in the context of what contributes to healthy and engaged aging — social connections built around housing, employment, lifelong learning, and a rich community life.  Links: Ken’s most recent book: Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives “I’m 62. Stop Telling Me I’m Old” by Ken Stern New York Times, Opinion Nov. 27, 2025The Longevity ProjectKen Stern, Founder and ChairStanford Center on LongevityStanford UniversitySupport the showSupport the show

Don’t Become a Scam Victim: Here Are Some Tips to Keep You Safe

Crime Reporter Michael Wilson of The New York Times joins us to share how he narrowly avoided losing thousands of dollars to an online scam. Seniors over 60 are targeted more often than any other age group, making his story both timely and essential. In this episode, Michael explains the red flags he spotted, how scams are evolving, and what you can do to protect yourself. A must‑listen for anyone navigating today’s digital world. Michael’s journalistic insight, combined with his firsthand brush with deception, makes this conversation both eye-opening and empowering.This episode is designed to inform and reassure that awareness is the most vigorous defense. Whether you’ve encountered suspicious emails, phone calls, or online offers, this will help you spot the red flags and stay one step ahead. Tune in for a candid discussion that blends real-world reporting with practical guidance. Here are some informative links Michael Wilson’s article “I’ve Written About Loads of Scams. This One Almost Got Me” was published on September 18, 2025. You can read it directly on the NYT site here: New York Times – Michael Wilson on nearly being scammed. Here’s the link to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is where you can file a complaint if you’ve been scammed. Plus, there is a lot of resource information available on the site: Home Page - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) And here’s the guest link to a story I posted a few years ago on Internet Scams: https://medium.com/crows-feet/seniors-what-you-dont-know-about-cybersecurity-will-scare-the-crap-out-of-you-dc34944d1f90?sk=6f6915b32a2f9dcd4fd8b241a4259111Support the show

The Secret Sauce of Giving Multiplier: Incentivizing Charitable Giving

We’re coming upon the season of giving — the period when Americans’ generosity pours forth. According to Charity Engine, about one-third of the $590 billion given to charity each year occurs in December.In this episode, Crows Feet explores an innovative charitable giving platform, Giving Multiplier. It combines heartfelt, personal donations with making it far easier to have an impact on some of the world’s most pressing issues: global health and poverty, animal welfare, and climate change.The Giving Multiplier concept of “bundling donations” emerged from charitable giving research at Harvard University by Dr. Joshua Greene and Dr. Lucius Caviola. They found people were incentivized to give when they could combine their personal interests with global concerns.Giving Multiplier adds to your gifts to both the local and global charities by up to 25% (30% for Crow’s Feet listeners), depending on the allocation. Listen to this interactive episode, then return to it on your laptop to follow along with the tutorial. It can be found at 8 minutes in. Links and further information: www.givingmultiplier.org/CROWFor more information about Dr. Joshua Greene and Dr. Lucius CaviolaIf you’d like to inquire about supporting Giving Multiplier, please contact Matt Coleman, at matt@givingmultiplier.orgAnd check out the insightful daily perspective by Crows Feet writers at www.crowsfeetlifeasweage.com.Support the showSupport the show

Trailblazer in Uniform: Rear Admiral Sandy Adams on Leadership, Legacy, and Service

Rear Admiral Sandy Adams, USN, Ret., served 34 years in the U.S. Navy, leading both active duty and reserve units across global theaters. She commanded five Navy Reserve units, deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, and advised Afghan defense leaders during Operation Enduring Freedom. Her final role was Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, overseeing 19,000 personnel. As a reservist, Adams also held various senior civilian roles in defense contracting and supply chain management.Adams earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College.Retired from the military, Adams is currently active with the Daughters of the American Revolution, El Redondo, CA Chapter, The Military Women’s Memorial, and is a Member of the Chairman’s Flag Council for the Museum of the Surface Navy. On our podcast, Admiral Adams shares her stories about the challenges of being a woman in the Navy, while also expressing her passion for all those currently on active duty and veterans.Support the show

This Gerontologist Believes We're Looking at Aging Through Blinders

Try looking at any familiar object — say, a chair — and then drawing it freehand. Now, turn the chair sideways and draw it again. Chances are the second drawing, once you turn it right side up again, is fresher and more accurate. It's free of the baked-in assumptions you have about the whole concept of "chair."What if we could do the same thing with aging? That creative exercise is the exact one that prompted the title of social gerontologist and journalist Jeanette Leardi's book Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older.Join host Jan M. Flynn in conversation with Jeanette Leardi, and come away with a refreshed outlook on living our elder years with purpose, vitality, and joy.Jeanette Leardi bio: Jeanette Leardi is the author of the book Ageing Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older. She is a social gerontologist, community educator, writer, editor, public speaker, and aging wellness leader with a passion for older adult empowerment. She finds personal fulfillment helping Boomers and older generations identify and share their wisdom with others. As a journalist she's worked with Newsweek, Life, People, Condé Nast Traveler, Sesame Workshop and The Charlotte Observer, as well as Next Avenue and 3rd Act Magazines. She holds presentations and classes on ageing-related topics, and has been a guest on numerous podcasts. Links:Jeanette's website: jeanetteleardi.comBuy her book, Ageing Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives On Getting Older This episode includes Music by Juan Sanchez from PixabaySupport the show