Claim OwnershipYou Earned This: The Social Security & Medicare Podcast!
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A Social Security & Medicare podcast from the folks fighting to preserve Americans' earned benefits! Each episode covers a different topic affecting American seniors and their families --- from ageism to long-term care. Brought to you by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Hosted by Walter Gottlieb. Featuring one topic and VIP guest per bite-sized episode. Each one is 13-15 minutes long.
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Not only can everyone make a difference, says activist & entrepreneur Tula Thompson, but just by doing a little, you can have a big impact. One of Tula's passions is protecting Social Security and Medicare. And when Tula is committed to something, she dives right in --- whether it involves buttonholing a U.S. Senator after an airplane flight or preaching the importance of our earned benefits to younger adults. Tula has a long background in business, partnering in a metal insulation company with manufacturing facilities across the U.S. She is now a partner in For Fine Arts in Montana, one of the premier fine art galleries in the West. In 2025, Tula became a member of the board of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare. Anyone interested in affecting change will find inspiration in this episode.
Michigan is a fascinating place --- a swing state with a large senior population. In fact, 1 in 5 Michicanders is over 65. Our guest this week, Paula Cunningham, is on the forefront of seniors' advocacy in the Great Lakes State. As director of AARP Michigan, she has a lot to say about the stresses of family caregivers, the value of home and community based care, and the future of Social Security --- among many other things! Don't miss this chat with a woman on a mission to improve the lives of older people in her state --- and the family members who care for them.
62 year-old gyrocopter pilot Caroline Paul is an inspiration to Boomers seeking a sense of adventure in later life. She's the author of the new book, "Why Fly: Seeking Awe, Healing, and Our True Selves in the Sky." In this episode, Caroline shares her philosophy about approaching life courageously, while weighing risk and reward. A must-listen for anyone who dreams of soaring -- literally or otherwise! Her book is available at carolinepaul.com.
Veteran political consultant Jim Crounse says Trump's chaotic presidency is hurting the Republicans' chances in the 2026 midterms. Jim, a Democrat from the red state of Nebraska, takes the temperature of the election cycle -- and sees a path for his party to retake the House and maybe the Senate, because of Trump's waning popularity and his obsession with things voters don't really care about. Jim also shares how a Nebraska boy who dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player ended up as a consultant for Obama, Clinton, and Pete Buttigieg, among others. Plus -- can the Democrats ever win back the Midwest plains where the letter (D) can sometimes be 'toxic?'
Seniors are not the only group targeted by scammers, but they can be especially vulnerable. In this episode, AARP's chief fraud prevention expert, Kathy Stokes, shares important advice for protecting yourself -- and your older loved ones -- against scammers. Kathy says scamming is an "epidemic" that can be fought with knowledge. Whether it's the 'Tech Support' scam, the 'Grandparent' scam, the 'Banking' scam, or the 'Romance' scam...Kathy says you can empower yourself using a "Pause, Protect, Reflect" strategy. Listen and learn more about the $196 billion per year criminal underworld of scamming from one of America's leading fraud-prevention specialists!
Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins was the first female cabinet member in U.S. history. Appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Perkins is known as the "Mother of Social Security" for her pivotal role in the creation of The New Deal's greatest legacy. In this episode, Amanda Hatch, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center in Newscastle, ME, shares stories about this early feminist icon --- and her lifelong commitment to social insurance for the American people. As Frances Perkins herself said, she came to Washington in 1933 for "God, FDR, and the common workingmen."
This episode is a must-listen, featuring the "Mother of Mindfulness," Dr. Ellen Langer of Harvard University. She explains that mindfulness is a key to healthy aging - both mentally and physically. Dr. Langer gives helpful tips about "actively noticing" the world around you --- using her "bottom up/top down" approach. As a bonus, she tells us why 1 + 1 isn't always 2! Tune-in... and you'll be hanging on every word from one of our most eminent psychologists!
Tim Layton is a professor of public policy & economics at the University of Virginia. He analyzes Medicaid policy and its impact on real people. Professor Layton disagrees with some progressive arguments about health coverage, but agrees that taking medical insurance away from people is generally a bad idea. And that's exactly what Trump's "Big Beautiful" (Or Big Ugly) bill does. Prof. Layton also has some interesting angles on how to improve Medicaid --- including letting nurse practitioners see patients without doctors' supervision. Give this lively discussion a listen! Read Prof. Layton's white paper, "An Abundance Agenda for Medicaid" at https://www.economicstrategygroup.org/publication/garthwaite-layton-medicaid/
Savor the best moments from the podcast during 2025! This compilation features interviews with Jon 'Bowzer' Bauman of Sha Na Na, Senators Ron Wyden & Tom Harkin, Reps. Maxwell Frost & Debbie Wasserman Schultz, AARP's Deb Whitman, and former Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley --- among many others. Enjoy!
More of us will be living to 100 and beyond, says Bill Kole, author of "The Big 100." But do we want to? And how will we pay the bills for all those extra decades? What is the impact of "super aging" on Social Security? Bill paints a picture of the coming centenarian boom and all of its implications - good & bad - in this lively and surprisingly fun episode! After all, where else can you hear a 120-year old woman doing hip-hop? Bill's book, "The Big 100: The New World of Super Aging," is available at billkolebooks.com and through fine booksellers everywhere!
Meals on Wheels not only delivers hot, nutritious food to seniors --- it provides an important social connection to people who may be lonely or disconnected. Meals on Wheels even makes older people safer! Meals on Wheels America's chief policy offer, Josh Protas, tells us all about this amazing program that, unfortunately, faces possible funding cuts. As a historian, he also answers the question: do our current leaders have a 'compassion deficit?'
11-term congresswoman and member of House Democratic leadership Debbie Wasserman Schultz takes Trump and the GOP to task for making health coverage unaffordable. "Not having health insurance... kills people," she says. Wasserman Schultz rails against the Big Ugly Bill's massive cuts to Medicaid and the Republicans' refusal to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. She was among the lawmakers who pushed back on the administration for trying to make it harder for workers to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance - leading Trump to reverse course.
You may find yourself as the "financial caregiver" for an aging parent. Most people are thrust into this role with little preparation or warning. Certified Financial Planner Beth Pinsker has written a new book, "My Mother's Money," bursting with great advice for adult children who --- sooner or later --- may need to take responsibility for their parents' finances. She was inspired to write the book after serving as financial caregiver for her own mother, who passed away in 2021. In this episode, Beth reveals strategies for dealing with powers of attorney, banking, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security and end of life planning. A must listen! The book is available at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774403/my-mothers-money-by-beth-pinsker-cfp/.
The Trump administration tried to make it harder for older workers to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), but backed down under public pressure. Kathleen Romig of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says this mean-spirited policy would have stripped coverage from 1.5 million disabled workers over 10 years. She also explains why the 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) comes up short. (Note: This episode was recorded & posted shortly before the Trump administration abruptly withdrew the restrictive new SSDI rules.)
They say not to pay too much attention to off-year elections. But our political director, Luke Warren, says that 2025 might have been different. He tells us what last week's results portend for 2026. Luke also explains what we look for when our PAC endorses candidates for Congress. Hint: It has something to do with an unflinching committment to Social Security & Medicare that does not involve benefit cuts. To see which candidates we support, visit www.ncpssm.org/pac!
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) tells us that Trump and congressional Republicans are leaving people of modest means "in the dust" --- by jacking up health insurance costs while showering the wealthy with huge tax cuts. He's also worried about the future Medicare, as the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage become increasingly apparent and the Trump administration meddles with traditional Medicare in disturbing ways. Don't miss our visit with one of the most fervent advocates for Americans' health care in the U.S. Senate.
Pensions are quickly becoming a thing of the past, to the point where union members rely on Social Security like everyone else. The Alliance for Retired Americans advocates for the retirement security of all working people, including millions of union members. Executive Director Rich Fiesta says that everyone has a stake in preserving Social Security... at a time when the most anti-union administration in recent history is trying to undermine it.
What can you do to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's? And where are we with early detection and treatment? Dr. Heather Snyder of the Alzheimer's Association is here with news of exciting breakthroughs in the fight against a disease that afflicts 1 in 9 Americans. She tells us about the blood test for early detection of Alzheimer's... and about treatment and prevention, including how lifestyle changes may help protect against cognitive decline! A must-listen for anyone who is concerned about Alzheimer's.
Dr. Erlene Rosowsky is a clinical psychologist at Harvard specializing in the field of aging --- or "geropsychology." Her research and writings spring from a deep sense of empathy for seniors and their families. Today, she offers expert advice about aging --- including "the stories we tell ourselves" and the importance of humor. "Dr. R" also has plenty to say about ageism and forming friendships later in life. A must-listen for seniors --- and their loved ones! Check out her blog, "The Older Self," at https://erlenepsyd.com/category/blog.html
Shahab and Walter answer your questions about Social Security & Medicare --- and we troll the trolls! Is it time to scrap the payroll wage cap? Is Social Security really running out of money? And how do you switch from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare? We take on the trolls who claim that Democrats want these programs "to fail" ---- and that Social Security is "going broke" because of "fraud." Lots to answer --- and debunk. Let's get to it! NOTE: Please do not make any financial, medical, or health insurance decisions based on this show. Seek guidance from a financial or insurance professional, your State Health Insurance Program, or the appropriate federal agency.
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