Send me a message In this nostalgic episode of Bill Monty’s Guide for Getting Older, Bill takes a warm and funny trip down memory lane to revisit the holiday traditions from the 1930s through the 1980s that have all but disappeared. From aluminum Christmas trees with spinning light wheels, tinsel that sparkled but had an "edge" to it, Christmas caroling, and Christmas catalogs kids treated like priceless treasure, we celebrate the simple joys that shaped our childhood holidays. Join us for st...
Send me a message Self-care isn't selfish, but a crucial step in maintaining mental and emotional health—much like securing your own oxygen mask first on a plane. Join me, Bill Monty, as we explore this vital topic in the continuation of our Life Lessons series. I share personal insights and the wisdom gained from years of navigating life's ups and downs. Together, we'll explore the importance of setting healthier boundaries and habits as we age, ensuring that we can better care for ourselves...
Send me a message In this episode, I not only revisit the never-ending saga of Medicare and Medicaid and the failure of these systems for many Americans but I alsom look at one particular man. His name was Peter David. He was an author, and he was a star among comic book fans for his amazing body of work for the major publishers of science fiction and super-heroes. But...when he needed someone to leap tall buildings in a single bound for him, when he and his family thought that they could rel...
Send me a message Do you ever feel lost? Forgotten? Invisible? I have and I'm betting you have too. I'm reminded of the saying that the only feeling worse than being alone is being alone in a crowded room. In this episode, I traverse the oft-overlooked landscape of the aging baby boomer generation, I open up about the bittersweet journey of feeling sidelined in a society that races towards the new, frequently sidelining the old. Will we lose stories untold and wisdom gained, becoming a...
Send me a message This week, we say farewell to Dame Patricia Routledge — the unforgettable Hyacinth “Bouquet” from Keeping Up Appearances. At 96, Dame Patricia left behind more than laughter; she left lessons on living fully at every age. From British sitcom fame to singing opera in Italian at 60, painting flowers at 80, and baking rye bread at 95, Dame Patricia never stopped learning, laughing, or blooming. In this episode, I reflect on her remarkable life and what it teaches us about embra...
Send me a message I'm celebrating International Podcast Day today! Thank you for your support of my podcasts, Bill Monty's Guide for Getting Older and Tales from South Florida, BUT, if you've ever wondered what podcasts I listen to, I'm gonna tell you here. I hope that you will give these independent podcasters a listen because they are the heart and soul of podcasting around the world. So, hit that play button and let's get started. Support the show Remember to LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, SU...
Send me a message In this episode, I explore how today's political division, fear, and censorship in America echo some of the darkest chapters in our history - the American Revolution, the Civil War, the McArthy era of the 1950's, Vietnam, Nixon, Watergate and the horror and terror pf 9/11. Is it time for young people who have lived a very long time to take up the reins of common sense and attempt to quell the fires of suspicion and hatred that have caused us to lose the ability to have civil...
Send me a message LOVE! It’s the one word that can calm anger, inspire poets, turn sadness into sonnets, and give hope to the hopeless. When we’re young, love feels like a fiery rush—adrenaline, passion, and fantasy all wrapped together. Many say nothing ever compares to that first wild spark. But is that really true? In this episode of Bill Monty’s Guide for Getting Older, we explore how love changes as we age. Do our expectations of romance fade, or does love grow into something deeper, mor...
Send me a message When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. But how? In this episode, we journey back to the early 20th century and examine the true story of a German immigrant named Carl Laemmle. His journey from bookkeeper to Hollywood pioneer shows how reinvention after loss can change the world. This fascinating journey takes us from the streets of New York to the founding of Hollywood, all because one man asked: "What can I create out of what they took from me?" It's a timeles...
Send me a message It's a new year with new savings for those youngsters 50 years and up. Join me as I showcase various discounts available to seniors in 2025, from dining savings to travel deals, enhancing financial wellness for listeners. Important insights include senior-specific promotions from popular brands and practical tips to maximize savings potential. • Incredible Senior Savings at National Parks • Amazon Prime discounts for seniors receiving assistance • Discounts at re...
Send me a message Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions of life without purpose? That gutting lyric from John Mellencamp—"life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone"—might hit closer to home than you'd like to admit. This episode explores the profound difference between merely existing and truly living through purpose, connecting Mellencamp's sobering observation with the revolutionary work of Van Arsdale France, Disney's forgotten culture architect. In 1955...
Send me a message Birthdays can shift in meaning as we age, but they remain powerful opportunities for reflection, celebration, and reimagining what matters in our later years. • Aging is not a curse but a privilege denied to many • Birthdays in senior years often prompt complex emotions about mortality, legacy, and meaning • Creative celebration ideas include gratitude gatherings, legacy letters, and bucket list adventures • Listener stories showcase meaningful birthday traditions that focu...
Send me a message A chance encounter at the grocery store—where a teenage couple mocked my handwritten shopping list as "old-fashioned"—sparked a deeper reflection on values that seem to be fading from our society. Is being old-fashioned about recognizing what practices and principles remain valuable despite their age? What happened to respect? Not blind deference, but basic consideration for elders, authority figures, and community needs. Where has kindness gone? The simple courtesy that cr...
Send me a message Join me and meet Harold from New Jersey. A long-time listener, Harold opted in on my offer to be a guest on the podcast and discuss his experience of getting older. And boy, I'm glad he did. Harold shares his journey from growing up in 1950s Brooklyn to embracing new opportunities in retirement. His reflections on aging, legacy, and self-discovery reveal how getting older can be a liberating experience that brings wisdom, purpose, and a deeper appreciation for life's f...
Send me a message Are you aware of Social Security's hidden penalties, aggressive overpayment recoupment, and looming insolvency that threatens the financial security of current and future retirees. This episode explores little-known aspects of Social Security, including tax penalties, the flawed COLA system, and recent policy changes that make it harder for seniors to maintain financial stability. Episode 1 Social Security, Howard Beale and Me: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2192481/...
Send me a message It's been a tough week. I know I can share these things with you but coming back up to the surface for air was hard. BUT, I found a poem that perfectly captures the journey of aging – learning to shed what's no longer relevant while moving forward without forgetting our past. As I get closer to my 7th decade, I've been reflecting on how important it is to focus on the future rather than dwelling on what's been lost. To that end, I'm turning a page in this podcast about getti...
Send me a message Ever wonder what genuine kindness feels like when it permeates an entire city? After celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in Montreal, I returned with more than just fond memories—I came back with a profound lesson about how we might all approach life differently. What struck me most was the noticeable calm and enjoyment of daily life evident in Montreal's residents. Despite facing the same global uncertainties as Americans, they seemed unburdened by the chronic anxiet...
Send me a message Forty years of marriage has taught me more about life, love, and commitment than I could have ever imagined as a young groom back in 1985. What seems remarkable to many—staying married for four decades—has been a journey filled with everyday moments of growth, challenge, and deep connection. Marriage longevity isn't magic or luck. It's built on five fundamental principles I've discovered through years of practice and I'm discussing those here. Stick around to the end as I w...
Send me a message Aging brings unexpected emotional challenges that often manifest as irritability or anger, but there's more to these reactions than simple crankiness. We explore the hidden causes behind age-related frustration and offer compassionate strategies for both seniors and their loved ones. • Cognitive changes cause frustration as thinking slows down and decision-making takes longer • Chronic pain creates constant discomfort that naturally affects mood and temperament • Loss of in...
Send me a message Our episode focuses on discussing essential resources for seniors struggling to pay their energy bills, highlighting the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program for the Elderly (eHEAP). This program provides crucial financial support, ensuring seniors can keep their homes safe and comfortable despite rising living costs. • Highlighting the challenges seniors face with increased energy costs • Explaining the eHEAP program and its funding benefits • Eligibility c...
Joshua Hess
That was your first interviewing podcast? If that's true and I highly doubt it, I'm hoping you have additional chats and interviews moving forward. That sounded like I was listening to two gentlemen having a comfortable chat about life. I'm in!
Joshua Hess
Well-spoken and delivered episode. I love how thoughtful you are.
Joshua Hess
This was very well-spoken and thought-producing episode. Well done, Bill.