New Tricks for Old Dogs

The Old Dogs vacate the Doghouse as our podcast draws to a close. We end with a revisit to some of our favorite conversations - maybe yours is one of them? Thanks to all our listeners. We hope we gave you a bone or two to brighten your days. And remember: keep howling at the moon!

The Old Dogs review some of the reasons why people quit doing their podcast. We look back to two special years in our collective past – The summer of love and the year that changed America. And we take a moment to de-bunk some of the more prevalent myths about aging. Once again, we conclude by offering four selections from our treasury of Old Dogs conversations. 

In the first of three special episodes, The Old Dogs wind down their six-year run at howling at the moon. In this episode, we revisit past guests, with excerpts from our conversations with Tony Caputo, Thelma Zirkelbach, Mel Foster and Eileen Morris.

The Old Dogs ramble about the continuing silly practice of Daylight Saving Time. We report on a lady who made an electrified sign her home sweet home. We present another edition of Ads ‘n Fads. We introduce the disturbing fact that some people will buy a very expensive strawberry. We wonder what still possesses the government to support Daylight Saving Time. And we suggest an old but effective way to resolve differences of opinion. 

The Old Dogs ramble about our changing attitude towards the space program. We reveal the identity of the country's most popular grocery store. We discuss the various ways our astronauts take a shower. We reminisce about the days when a popular American sport was… pedestrianism. And we answer the question, how come you don't recognize your own voice? The Old Dogs Conversation is with Andy Huggins, one of the country's most enduring comics. 

The Old Dogs ramble about the useless stuff we buy, stop using, but never get rid of. We ask you what your word for pancakes is. We present another "I Saw it on the Boob Tube." We remember - well, not personally - a time when the Sears Catalogue sold dynamite. We learn that if you failed at Hula-Hooping, it may have been because of your shape. And we enumerate some of the useless things people have in their homes. they may sound familiar. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Steve Rosencranz, a savvy financier who made a bundle, then turned to improving the lives of city kids. 

The Old Dogs ramble about the dangerous stuff people did in the 50's. We sing the praises of honey, with a 2,000-year shelf life. We reveal that thrift-store treasures aren't always a myth. We answer the question everyone is asking: why does your tummy rumble? We wonder how we survived those shoe-store X-Ray machines. And we ask parents if it's wrong to have kids apologize. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Rabbi Stuart Fedorow - a man beloved by his congregation - and a heck of a radio host. 

The Old Dogs ramble about the big folk revival of the early sixties. We learn about a rat problem that has one police department clearing out its evidence shelves. We hear from Suzanne Savoy about that whole business of sex. Paul once again tries to stump the older Old Dog. And we mourn the passing of Peter Yarrow. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Dennis Sullivan. A geriatrician whose focus is better treatment for the aged. 

The Old Dogs ramble about those grade-school lunchboxes featuring TV characters. We propose the useful idea of turning abandoned shopping malls into apartment homes. We ponder the notion of robot pets. We note with terror the rise of vending machines that dispense bullets. And we wonder why the average English speaker has such a small vocabulary. The Old Dogs conversation is with Dietmar Neidhardt, an oil and gas executive who retired and found a new passion making gelato. 

The Old Dogs ramble about all kinds of useless stuff. We try to find out why we have earlobes. We present another Ads n Fads. We offer you a chance to become a pirate - with a degree from MIT. Our new League of Literate Ladies kicks off with commentary by Bredgette Mongeon. And we announce the OED word of the year. The Old Dogs conversation is with Selia Qinn, a Houston resident who has given multiple meanings to the phrase, "there's no place like home." 

The Old Dogs ramble about living to 100 - is it a good idea? We ponder some of the bad practices we employ to keep dentists in business. We celebrate the inventor of the flat-bottomed paper bag. We view with alarm the rise of misinformation on the internet... or do we? We alert you to an insurance scam involving pricey cars... and bogus bears. And we reflect on the upside and downside of living to be 100. The Old Dogs Conversation is with human dynamo Vanessa Gilmore - a retired federal judge who is anything but retired. 

The Old Dogs ramble about the sweet pleasures of lolling in bed. We alert you to a pizza parlor that serves cocaine as a toping. We bring you another edition of What Year Was It. We review the history of why we eat three meals a day. We extol the benefits of gossip. And we give you a scientific viewpoint on Hurkle-Durkling. Guess what that is. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Bill Baird, a true Southern gentleman with a long history of community building who still pursues it in retirement. 

The Old Dogs ramble about challenges older dogs can successfully complete - unlike climbing Everest. We mention Everest because it happens to be the world's highest garbage dump. We introduce a new feature: commentary by our League of Literate Ladies - this time with Kathy Biehl. We report on the North American Wife-Carrying Championship. We introduce you to a mature lady who was able to save the best for last. And we acquaint you with the dangers of opening Champaign bottles. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Gika Rector. A practitioner of the Feldenkrais technique. It's gonna make you feel a whole lot better. 

The Old Dogs ramble about how guys would do a tupperware party. Paul tries again, without success, to stump the older old dog. We wonder what ever happened to garden hermits. We relate some of the worst business decisions ever. And we report on a war that lasted over three centuries... by mistake. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Judge Jerry Zimmerer, a fellow who has no intention of slowing down after his term is up. 

The Old Dogs ramble about getting your home ready for the Apocalypse. We challenge you with another "I Saw it on the Boob Tube." We acquaint you with a special car made just for the Apocalypse. We report on a house designed and built just like the Simpsons' house. We ask you to believe that beer makes us more attractive. And, finally, what nobody has been asking for: ranking the British nobility. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Kim Sawyer, founder of  The Wealth Source. Kim is dedicated to helping people to discover what their true wealth is, then find ways to attain it.  

The Old Dogs ramble about opening a lemonade stand, or other sidewalk enterprises. We remember when good times were groovy. We bring you another Ads 'n' Fads. We groan over the bad things American tourists do. We wonder if you find yourself following trends blindly. And we notice that adults are finding profit in lemonade stands. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Joe Kilgore, an old-school adman who found a new outlet for his copywriting talents in publishing detective novels. 

The Old Dogs ramble about people who snoop around in other people's houses. We learn why we get great ideas in the shower. We challenge you with another What Year Was It? We investigate the habit of peeking into medicine cabinets. And we wonder what advice we might give to our younger selves. The Old Dogs conversation is with Rodney George a guy who turned his love for travel and love for people into a service helping people love to travel. 

The Old Dogs ramble about a time when watching TV programs was an event. We wonder what happened to many of our high-school subjects. Paul tries unsuccessfully to stump the older Old Dog. We scratch our heads over the wisdom of selling self-driving cars. We find out why time seems to pass faster as we age. And we say goodbye to two big TV influencers who have passed on. The Old Dogs conversation is with Shelley Calene Black, a well-known Houston actor with credits in every aspect of the business. 

The Old Dogs ramble about living aboard a ship year-round. We recall the useless math terms we needed to learn in high school. We challenge you with yet another I Saw it on the Boob Tube. We present scientific findings on the exact point of saturation of an Oreo in milk. We report on a couple who are living a life at sea. And we offer the possibility of lucid dreaming - actually guiding what you dream.

In this episode The Old Dogs ramble about the stuff in your fridge. We analyze the Yuck Factor. We try to stump you with another Ads n Fads. We give new life to that old can of WD40. We try to recall a time when passports didn't have pictures. And we wonder how we wouold have survived without Doctor Spock. The Olds Dogs Conversation is with Doug Miller - a veteran news reporter with insights into the craft, plus thoughts on leaving it all behind. 

The Old Dogs ramble about mis-information and how hard it is to correct. We follow that with an example of a woman declared dead while living. Our Chief Aging Officer takes us on a trip to her gym. We try to stump you with another What Year Was It? We discover that sleep in fact won't detoxify your brain. And we unpack some of your grandkids' current slang. The Old Dogs conversation is with Bridgette Mongeon, sculptor, writer, educator and serious hiker. 

The Old Dogs Ramble about dumb phones – are they for you? We take a look at a future without real coffee. We wonder about the current exercise trend of backward walking. We try once again to stump the older old dog. And we reminisce about the etiquette of dating, 1950's – style. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Jim Conlan – yes, the very same Old Dog who is speaking to you now – on what it's like to go home again. 

The Old Dogs ramble about sneaky supermarket switches. We discover a new kind of syndrome that makes you drunk without drinking. We present another edition of I Saw It on the Boob Tube. We notice how people never smile in old photographs. We wonder why some people are so annoying to us. And we talk about the way supermarkets tend to confuse us. The Old Dogs conversation is with Gary and Gaby Keller. Two folks who left Switzerland a long time ago and are now heading back. 

The Old Dogs ramble about AI - is it intelligent at all? We learn about a San Francisco tycoon who built a 40-foot spite fence around his neighbor's property. We bring you another Ads 'n Fads. We recall some of the great inventions spawned by the Great Depression. We share some funny requests from Olive Garden patrons. And we suggest a new way of handling the carbs you eat at meals; namely, last. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Rodney Vaccaro. For decades, one of Hollywood's favorite Script Doctors. 

The Old Dogs ramble about what happens if we outlive our partner. We introduce a new retail concept, alcoholic ice cream. We challenge you with another What Year Was it. We mark the loss of a grade-school favorite, the number-two pencil. We bring you another installment from our Chief Aging Officer. And we share some tips on traveling light. The Old Dogs conversation is a memoir of small-town life, shared between Paul and our former guest, Michael Schafer. 

The Old Dogs ramble about dealing with trash. We introduce you to a new class of religious affiliation - the Nones. We angst over the mountain of human waste that is overwhelming Mt. Everest. And Paul tries to stump Jim again, with little success. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Eva Archer-Smith: a corporate coach who is accomplishing even more in her 70s.

The Old Dogs ramble about aging with a friend. We track down an innocent pigeon who was accused of being a spy. We bring you another episode of "I Saw it on the Boob Tube." We acquaint you with new words that have entered the English vocabulary. We present recent findings on the dangers of aging alone. And we marvel, on the other hand, of how Super Agers remain Super. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Doctor Michael Schafer, who found his mission in providing facial reconstruction for children. When he retired, he started a new career by sculpting life-size horses from driftwood and other found objects. 

The Old Dogs ramble about Paul's devotion to Costco. We report on one pet's devotion to money. We bring you another edition of Ads 'n Fads. We tell the story of a couple's obsession with Costco - far more serious than Paul's. We introduce you to the lady who plays Flo in the Progressive commercials. And we discover a new kind of service to help older persons make friends. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Julie Moore: a conservancy advocate who has a special interest in - wait for it - the Venus Flytrap. And so should you.

The Old Dogs ramble about losing the stigma around buying used. We warn you about the coming invasion of the cicadas. We test your memory with another What Year Was it? We note the growing acceptance of buying used. We discover that coin flips aren't totally random. And we take note of the trend in old folks still working. The Old Dogs conversation is with Betty Buckley, who's going to tell us all about how movies are made. 

 In this episode, The Old Dogs ramble about some of the things we've come to appreciate that seem to lengthen our lives. We report on a major infestation of Peacocks in affluent Houston neighborhoods. Paul tries to stump the older Old Dog again, with mixed results, again. And we offer the New York Times opinion on the seven keys to longevity. The Old Dogs conversation is the second part of our fascinating chat with Susan Lieberman, whose new book, In the Country of Old, offers a fresh way of approaching the state of being old. 

The Old Dogs ramble about the little things that make life worth living. We wonder if some private yachts might actually be too big. We play another round of "I Saw it on the Boob Tube." We visit a book club that took 28 years to read Finnegans Wake. We celebrate the idea of the Golden Bachelor. And we promote the use of old words we think should make a comeback. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Susan Lieberman. A person who has discovered that in the limitations of being old, there is opportunity. 

The Old Dogs ramble about euphemisms - you know, the art of saying something nice, when you mean something bad. We report on a quiet small-town guy with a surprising legacy. We present another edition of Ads n Fads. We chuckle over one of Elon Musk's famous euphemisms. We bring you an article about fears, including some fears you may not know you have. And we explain why, if you want to colonize Mars, you're gonna need bugs. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Dennis Elmer. You may forget his name, but you won't forget his music. 

The Old Dogs ramble about nostalgia - as if we could remember anything. We report on a Japanese cafe where the waiters will probably forget your order. We bring you another edition of What Year Was It. We introduce you to a robber who posed as a mannequin. We celebrate the benefits of nostalgia. And we tell you how to be nice about your luggage on a plane. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Kathy Biehl, mistress of mayhem, the zany and the arcane. If it's weird, Kathy has written about it. 

The Old Dogs ramble about dress code changes as we age. That leads us to a chat about new dress rules for Congress. We offer a new emotional-support choice: chickens. We bring you another edition of Stump the Older Old Dog. And we include the latest musings of our Chief Aging Officer, Kathleen O'Brien. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Bill Freeman, a guy whose life-changing stroke didn't dull his mind or his sense of fun. 

The Old Dogs ramble about listening - how good are you at it? We present another quiz about the early days of TV. We give another shout-out to AARP. We discuss common pet names for grandparents - do you have some? We add another item to the do not import list: giraffe droppings. A And we compare the merits of brand names with generic drugs. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Karl Ford, a Virginia gentleman who really enjoys a real good life as a realtor. 

The Old Dogs ramble about speaking and listening: there seems to be more of the former than the latter. We present another Ads 'n Fads. We talk about the best deals you can get at Dollar Stores. We learn that it doesn't take much juice to power the human brain. Since it's Halloween, we wonder about the popularity of séances. And we clue you in on the benefits and dangers of skiplagging. The Old Dogs conversation is with Fritz Coleman. Long-time funny weatherman who is producing a series of specials on Tubi. 

The Old Dogs ramble about suspicious senior discounts. We discover that the secret to eternal youth appears to be hauling lobster traps. Who knew? We challenge you with another installment of What Year Was it? We announce - after 18 years - the launch of a new album by, yes, the Rolling Stones. And we ask the question the whole world is not asking, should Oregon cede territory to Idaho. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Martin Langford, a self-proclaimed journeyman musician who after five decades continues to support himself and his wife by making music. 

The Old Dogs ramble about Us versus Them. We bring you more thoughts from Kathleen O-Brien, our chief aging officer. We celebrate the life of Jimmy Buffet. We humiliate the Older Old Dog. Again. And we discuss life events that could change your personality. The Old Dogs conversation once again features the sage of the current generation of college grads, Savanna Menzel, with tips on how geezers can profit from social media. 

The Old Dogs ramble about questionable medical procedures. We commiserate with a guy who lost his autographs of the Bidens. We introduce a new challenge we call, "I Saw it on the Boob Tube." We celebrate a gal who rediscovered jumping rope in her mature years. And we reveal sure-fire ways to avoid airline carry-on fees. You're welcome. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Barbara Tobin. A lady who discovered world travel early and never stopped. 

The Old Dogs ramble about packaging: an impossible challenge for seniors. We ask: if Taylor Swift can give bonuses to everybody, where's ours? We lament the passing of incandescent light bulbs. We wonder if we've lost the ability to concentrate. We spring another Ads n Fads on you. And we discuss the problem of hanging onto elected officials a little too long. The Old Dogs conversation is with Sheila Baisden. She's a lady who found a way to continue using her considerable skills after retirement. 

The old dogs Share their thoughts on UFO's,  question whether hot dog eating is a spectator sport, discuss how much value a wall can have,  present some Boomer life Hacks , and offer up a new trivia feature called guess what year it is.Plus Part Two of our conversation with Jackie Dryden.  This former advertising art director has made a new career out of offering advice to parents through the voices of children. 

The Old Dogs marvel at how much you can make by suing McDonalds. We discover inappropriate gifts fans hurl at rock stars. We offer a tribute to the late Alan Arkin. We reflect on the wonders of elephant yoga. And we bring you another wildly popular edition of Stump the older old dog. The old dogs conversation is with Jackie Dryden, a much-lauded advertising executive who turned her talents to helping parents understand their kids. 

The Old Dogs Ramble about 50's TV Sitcoms that may have fomented major changes in the 60's. We wonder how the Supreme Court could confuse Jack Daniel's and Bad Spaniels. We bring you another Ads n Fads. Our chief aging officer weighs in on the advantages of staying out of airports. We question the wisdom of relying on Chat GPT for, well, anything. And we bring you the answer to our ads n fads quiz. The Old Dogs conversation is with David Pelton - a man who sang his way around the world, enlightened the oil industry in good speech habits, and now helps our foreign visitors to speak English good - I mean, well. 

The Old Dogs ramble about national holidays we wish we had. We advise against blaming your dog for your bad driving. We learn that spies aren't allowed to work from home. We find out that movie actors don't have to act their age anymore. We observe International Naked Gardening Day. And we join the throngs of annoyed consumers who are tired of tricky food packaging. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Fred Kennedy, one of a handful of entertainers who made morning drive radio something special. 

The Old Dogs wonder who we'd root for if they went on strike. We give our take on Elon Musk's giant rocket fail. We offer creative uses for coffee grounds. We report on an overenthusiastic sperm donor. We remember Harry Belafonte. And we praise a lady who found a bagful of money... and didn't keep it. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Larry Barsh - a Boston dentist who discovered there's more to life than pulling teeth. 

The Old Dogs ramble about the current worth of a penny. We remark on the difficulty of using your home equity when you're old. We ponder the differences between cage-free, organic, and other egg attributes. We present a quick history on the American penny. And we reminisce about penny candy and other childhood treats. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Mary Harper, social worker, author, activist - and daughter of parents who were both blind. 

The Old Dogs ask themselves if money can buy them happiness. We update you on current passport requirements. We check in with our Chief Aging Officer, Kathleen O'Brien. We get a scientific opinion on the relationship of money to happiness. And we enjoy a few snappy tweets from the US Park Service. The Old Dogs Conversation is with Louise Palanker and Fritz Coleman. A couple of pros from the entertainment biz with a great idea for a podcast. 

The Old Dogs ramble about the challenges of Artificial Intelligence. We relate the story of a nearsighted man who ordered too many glasses. We report on the growing habit of watching TV with subtitles. Paul once again tries to stump the older old dog, and we introduce you to your next therapist, a robot. The old dogs conversation is with Les Switzer - a man who made a difference in South Africa, on his way to three rewarding careers. 

The Old Dogs ramble about how the world might get along by taking a tip from scientists. We weigh the merits of the tiny apartment fad. We wonder what time it is on the moon. We expose how Chinese male models are showing up in ladies' underwear. And we report on how an innocent gift resulted in a fish invasion in Japan.  The Old Dogs Conversation is with Nanette Florian. She was a singer with the New Christy Minstrels. When she lost her hearing she thought her days of enjoying music were over. But advances in hearing technology and her own careful observation have led to a new way for the hearing impaired to listen to music.

The Old Dogs ask whether it's possible, truly, to do absolutely nothing. And, if so, how much practice does it take? Podnuggets: A Case of Foreign Accent Syndrome. The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing. The Oldest Flight Attendant. Bye, Bye to Landlines. The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.The Old Dogs Conversation is with Marc Cashman, a rather well-known voiceover coach with a history of writing funny radio commercials, being a sought-after voice talent, and narrator of some 200 audiobooks. Marc talks about the past, present and future of the voiceover business.

The old dogs ramble about the good old days before cell phones. We offer another edition of Ads 'n Fads. We acquaint you with the Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly. We discuss the meaning and application of the wind chill factor. And we explain America's fastest-growing sport, pickleball. Our guest is MICHAEL McDONALD, a guy you need to know if you think you just can't handle the stuff that comes with age. A successful advertising executive, Michael battled depression for years, then suffered a couple of debilitating strokes that put a crimp in his retirement plans. In this conversation, Michael explains how he managed these trials and went on to live a happy and fulfilling life.