Episodes

Social Media Breaks, Peru Reset, and What We’re Watching & Reading Claire and Joy open with Arrested Development jokes and then discuss how meme culture and news consumption feel bleak, leading Joy to describe a mental-health-improving Peru “hard reset” of staying off social media, avoiding push notifications, and getting news from traditional outlets instead. They reflect on feeling helpless about Supreme Court decisions and on social media outrage/cancel culture, citing “Therapy Jeff” and men...

Peru Post-Trip Blues, Surf Retreat Highlights, and Planning Japan 2028 Joy and Claire recap travel and post-trip depression after Peru, including Claire extending her trip for a Peru surf retreat in Chiama with Surf with Amigas, riding unusually long left waves, visiting archaeological sites, and seeing the preserved “Lady of Cao.” They describe a stressful Cusco-to-Lima flight delay due to the plane being too heavy, resulting in many bags left behind, and praise guide Leo for getting everyone’...

Older and Wilder Live in Peru: Sacred Valley Reflections, Machu Picchu Magic, and Leo’s Tour-Guide Legends Joy and Claire record a live “Older and Wilder” episode reflecting on how group travel with EF Go Ahead Tours removes the stress of planning and creates immersive cultural experiences. Travelers share motivations (community, FOMO, bucket-list Machu Picchu) and favorite moments: Machu Picchu, Incan archaeological sites, a community lunch and ceremony, women’s weaving cooperative, cooking cl...

Easter Morning, River-Trip Hypothermia, and Peru Prep! Joy and Claire trade stories about kids and childhood Easter traditions like egg hunts, church, and family meals. Claire recounts a spring-break rafting trip on Utah’s Upper San Juan River including visiting cliff-dwelling sites, a layover day, and a sudden thunderstorm. They discuss upcoming travel to Peru, interest in a future Japan trip, Joy’s promotion, and tips for altitude prep. 02:35 Kids Lovies and Stuffy Names 03:24 Childhood Eas...

House-Sitting in Arizona, Tracking Teens, and Planning a Japan Trip Joy and Claire chat about pet and house-sitting. Joy describes a nostalgic “time warp” weekend with her friend’s nearly-18-year-old daughter, running into a high school friend’s younger sister, and hanging at the mall. They discuss modern teen tracking tools (Life360, car cameras) and balancing safety with independence, plus kids’ self-navigation skills. In Q&A, they cover folding fitted sheets, cleaning quirks, favorite clothi...

Saying Goodbye to JT and Finding Support in Grief Joy and Claire discuss travel concerns about altitude sickness for an upcoming Peru trip and past experiences with motion sickness and sleep. The conversation shifts to Joy’s dog JT, who was 14, and the difficult decision to schedule in-home euthanasia after noticing declining mobility. Joy describes the hospice vet process, the peaceful passing, how their other dogs reacted, and choosing private cremation with plans to honor him in Westcliff. T...

Two Dusty Travelers: COVID Front Lines, L&D Mistrust, and Choosing a Childfree Life Joy and Claire hosts Emily Scott (Two Dusty Travelers), an RN known for caring for the first diagnosed hospitalized COVID patient in the U.S., to discuss how her platform evolved beyond “the COVID lady” and how politics and misinformation have fueled distrust in healthcare. Emily, now a labor and delivery nurse with a background in peace studies and global health work in East Africa, describes rising patient sus...

Moab Heat, Busy Spring Travel, Mindfulness, and Protein-Obsessed Expo West Joy and Claire catch up on Moab’s early heat, a recent snowstorm, and packed spring schedules including Arizona, Peru, river trips, and work travel. Claire recaps attending Expo West in Anaheim, meeting David Fitzpatrick at Disneyland for ice cream, and a stressful return trip involving a sprinting airport connection and a tiny flight back to Moab. They pivot to a Q&A on favorite times of day and desserts, then discuss g...

March Check-In: Lifties, Social Media Burnout, Dog Hair Hacks, Moab’s Ageless Party Scene & Love Is Blind Ohio Joy and Claire celebrate reaching March! They discuss stepping back from social media—especially TikTok—due to overwhelming news cycles, algorithm/terms concerns, and the unnatural pressure to broadcast constant reactions, preferring fact-based sources and recommending Pantsuit Politics’ State of the Union recap. The conversation shifts to practical home life: kids’ laundry-folding boa...

Burro Brave, Hormone Swings, and Everything Is Bears Joy and Claire open by noting they sometimes need lighter conversations amid ongoing political distress. Joy shares an update on trying Colorado’s official heritage sport, pack burro racing, during a training run with rescue donkeys from REdonculous Ranch Rescue Sanctuary. Joy also updates on puppy-raising Lilas and will be turned in for training in mid-May. Claire discusses upcoming Peru travel, extending her trip to surf, and signing her mo...

Podcasts They Hate, Olympics Distractions, and Donkey Races Joy and Claire record an early-morning episode with chat friends. The conversation shifts to popular podcasts they dislike or don’t understand the hype around.They discuss watching the Olympics as a welcome distraction. Joy shares two personal updates: discovering a local nonprofit tied to pack burro racing REdonculous Ranch Sanctuary and Rescue (connected to Colorado mining history)—and planning to shadow a four-mile training run wit...

Cozy Convos and Winter Gear Essentials In this episode of 'Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire,' the hosts catch up bright and early to celebrate Evie's seventh birthday, discussing themed party decorations, birthday plans, and a DIY at-home salon experience. They also talk about the challenges of walking dogs in cold weather, sharing their favorite heated winter gear including gloves, mugs, and vests. The conversation turns to the Olympics, emotionally touching on the pressures young athletes...

In this episode of 'Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire,' the duo recounts their tumultuous yet amusing start to the day involving Joy's smoke detector mishap and a series of supposed ghostly disturbances. They shift to reflections on the recent passing of Catherine O'Hara, discussing the impact of celebrity deaths on fans. The hosts also tackle heavier topics such as the duty of public figures and therapists to address political issues, and the mental toll of current world events. The episode ...

Navigating Anger and Staying Resilient During Turbulent Times In this episode of 'Older and Wilder,' Joy and Claire discuss the intense and fast-paced changes occurring in their lives and the world. Recorded on January 25th, they delve into the ongoing political upheaval, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining daily routines amidst chaos. They reflect on the strain of constant anger, the importance of focusing on productive actions, and the psychological reasons behind our fixation on negati...

Embracing Community Activism and Surviving January's Long Haul In this episode of 'Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire,' the hosts discuss the unending stretch of January and how activity-packed months like November and December make the lack of events in January particularly noticeable. Claire talks about Moab's upcoming celebrations and community dynamics, including her daughter's first dance recital and observing distinct 'mom outfits' in Utah. Joy shares her uplifting experience attending ...

Navigating Time Perception, Synesthesia, and Political Discourse In this episode of 'Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire,' hosts Joy and Claire explore various themes ranging from the unusual passage of time in January to personal experiences with synesthesia. Joy describes her unique way of visualizing time, which leads to a discussion on how different people use and view calendars. The episode also delves into the emotional and psychological effects of the current political climate, as Joy a...

In this episode of 'Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire,' the hosts kick off the new year by discussing their New Year's Eve celebrations. They share personal anecdotes, including Joy's dinner at a new seafood restaurant and funny neighborhood stories like a false bomb scare. They discuss their goals for the year, the stress of staying informed via social media, and their thoughts on celebrity influence and societal changes. The episode wraps up with Claire's updates on her health and new prima...

New Year's Reflections In this episode we reflect on their New Year's Eve traditions and discuss holiday must-have dishes, and the challenges of keeping children up past their bedtime. We also share favorite gadgets, best and worst culinary experiences of the past year, and thoughts on returning to CrossFit. Listeners' questions cover a variety of topics, from favorite beauty products to memorable podcast episodes and goals for 2026. 02:36 Parenting Challenges on New Year's 03:40 A Sad Night ...

Navigating Life Changes In this light-hearted episode of 'Older and Wilder,' the hosts start off with a humorous and candid chat and touch on their unique Christmas traditions, reflecting on the past year, and discussing the nuances of moving to a new city with kids. The conversation also covers deeper topics like job market challenges, personal growth, and the significance of the winter solstice. Listeners can expect a blend of humor, heartfelt reflections, and practical advice, perfect for th...

TikTok Strategy, Memory Lane, and New Beginnings In this episode of 'Older and Wilder,' Joy and Claire discuss their evolving TikTok strategy and the importance of going live to engage their community. They share nostalgic memories of their old house and the warmth of its new owners. Claire talks about the struggles of finding healthcare providers, especially after relocating, and Joy recounts a scary health experience. They delve into their aspirations for the coming year, focusing on taking c...

Discussing Pronunciations, GLP-1 Medications, and Holiday Family Anecdotes In this episode of 'Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire the conversation shifts to a critical discussion on GLP-1 medications for weight loss, including personal and professional perspectives on their effects, and concerns about their potential misuse in eating disorder cases. The hosts also address the pressures of cosmetic procedures and the broader impact of societal beauty standards. The episode concludes with thoug...

Holiday Preparations, Pet Adventures, and Cultural Commentary In this episode of Older and Wilder, Joy and Claire dive into holiday preparations, discussing their Christmas decorations, Black Friday shopping adventures, and family traditions. Joy shares her amusing experience at Sheels and updates on Lila's progress. The conversation transitions into a critical discussion about the widespread use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, their cultural impact, and concerns regarding long-term mental and phys...

Old Lady Gripes and Thanksgiving Vibes In this episode of Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire, the hosts discuss their Thanksgiving plans and delve into various topics such as holiday preparations, stress dreams, and adjusting to new routines. They share personal anecdotes about the challenges of living in a new neighborhood, the quirks of pets, and road rage incidents. The conversation also touches on the power of poetry and the inspiring documentary 'Come See Me in the Good Light' about the ...

Unpacking Holiday Traditions, Sustainable Candle Tips, and Life Post-Pandemic In this episode of 'Older and Wilder with Joy and Claire,' the hosts delve into a lively discussion about their favorite holiday products from Trader Joe's, particularly the sought-after peppermint chocolate Jojo's. They also touch on candle warmers and recycling tips. A significant part of the conversation centers around their evolving relationship with alcohol, influenced by health considerations and personal well-b...