Episodes

“Make room for something new”: Surprise! Creator and host Nancy Davis Kho on why it’s time to “sunset” the show after almost five years, plus Eight Big Life Lessons from the Midlife Mixtape Podcast. Sign up for Nancy’s email list The Thank-You Project – makes a great holiday present or 2022 project! Drew Barrymore inducts The Go-Gos into the R&RHOF Jimmie Wilson for Alameda County DA List of Voting Rights organizations to donate to, if you’ve enjoyed the Midlife Mixtape Podcast over the years!...

“Stretch the rubber band”: Stanford Center for Longevity’s researcher Ken Smith and co-author Karen Breslau, on conclusions from SCL’s new study that seeks to radically redefine how to live better, when we’re living longer. The New Map of Life from the Stanford Center on Longevity Midlife Mixtape Podcast Ep 52 with Author Mary Laura Philpott – preorder her new book Bomb Shelter now! Alexandra Rosa’s storytelling performance on The Moth, “Call Me The Rock, or Call Me Colombian” This is the OLD ...

“From accessory to center stage”: Mark Cushing, founder of the Animal Policy Group and author of “Pet Nation”, on the emotional, physical, and societal benefits of the human-animal bond at midlife and beyond. Pet Nation: The Inside Story of How Companion Animals Are Transforming Our Homes, Culture, and Economy Animal Policy Group From Sandy Hook to the World by Scarlett Lewis, founder of Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement New in November from the Grown Ass Lady Squad: Are Women’s Lives Just Some...

“A spirit of curiosity”: Megan Zesati and Holly Sprague, founders of the DryTogether alcohol-free living community for midlife moms, on the benefits of teaming up to cut back on booze, the media messages that boost our consumption, and living AF(AF.) DryTogether.org Harvard Health Article on Women, Alcohol, and COVID-19 Outlander #1 – your gateway read Presenting sponsor Kindra – use the code MIXTAPE20 for 20% off your first order! Unlock Your Life Podcast with Lori A. Harris Freedom to make t...

“Who’s Slash?”: Listeners – and Nancy – share stories of their memorable Gen X Halloweens past, from decidedly non-sexy costume strategies, to 7th graders on the cusp, to home bat invasions. The Perfect Cocktails for Your Perimenopause Party by Wendi Aarons, Gloria Fallon, and Marilyn Naron Portrait of a Deputy Public Defender (or how I became a punk rock lawyer) by Juanita E. Mantz, Esq Happy Halloween, you grown up goths. Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behi...

“Something besides yourself to love”: Austin music legend Bob Schneider on his latest album, “In a Roomful of Blood With a Sleeping Tiger”, non-autobiographical songs written with autobiographical emotion, and why he shouldn’t rule the world. BobSchneider.com Bob on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook Collective Effervescence essay by Adam Grant – New York Times Contact Nancy to set up Thank-You Project Event this fall! Don’t forget to share your GenX Halloween stories! More here… Since we talked abou...

“Stop, Look, Go”: Kristi Nelson, author of “Wake Up Grateful,” on transforming her Stage IV cancer survival into a lifetime practice of more grateful living, midlife carpe diem, and an unusual way to embrace that middle-of-the-night restiveness. About Kristi Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted Nancy’s AAA Playlist on Apple Music Live from Budokan, it’s… Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behind the podcast – check him out he...

“My brain is waking up”: Taya Dunn Johnson on going back to school alongside her 7th grader this fall, and the personal passion that pulled her to a field of study she had never even heard of before the day she enrolled. Find Taya on: Website – www.TayaDunnJohnson.com Essay on Upworthy: Please Read This Before Your Post Another RIP On Social Media Listen To Your Mother Anthology Ep 96 Listeners’ “Still in Rotation” Albums – hear Taya’s contribution at around the 25:20 mark Some Baltimore soun...

“Dating is a skill”: Jodi Klein, author and podcast host of “First Date Stories”, on the benefits and challenges of being a “seasoned” dater, her Ninja midlife dating tips, and Midlife Mixtape listeners’ own memorable First Date Stories. Find Jodi on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/1stdates/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/1st_DateStories/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/firstdatestories Website https://firstdatestories.com/ The only Goo Goo Dolls song I knew of theirs, back in 1990...

“Start the conversation”: Oceanographer Dr. Claudia Benitez-Nelson talks about the ScienceMoms.com initiative seeking to apply “Mom Power” in tackling climate change, how midlife made her a better scientist, and why she’s hopeful for the future. ScienceMoms.com website Dr. Benitez-Nelson’s research lab website Dr. Benitez-Nelson interviewed aboard the research vessel Sally Ride What other song could I choose, given my late mom’s affinity for all things John Denver?Thanks as always to M. The He...

“It’s about time”: Menopause entrepreneurs Sally Mueller and Michelle Jacobs talk about why it’s taken so long to address the needs of women in perimenopause and menopause, and how GenX can lead the way in demystifying the big M. * Womaness web site * Womaness on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn * NYTimes Opinion piece by Dr. Jen Gunter on how to have a feminist menopause I still wear a jean jacket! I still drink out of a Mason jar! Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provide...

“In the blink of an eye”: In this Very Special Episode that is also All In The Family, Midlife Mixtape Podcast creator and host Nancy Davis Kho answers listeners’ questions about podcasting, music, and midlife. * Nancy’s website www.DavisKho.com * We Sow We Grow – get your Dirty By Nature tshirt here, and listen to Ep 64 with We Sow We Grow founder/Urban farmer Natasha Nicholes here * Ep 90 – Reconciliation Activist J. Christopher Collins, on “moving the ball down the field” * Ep 91 – “Share You...

“Tired of being a deputy”: Michelle Fishburne of Who We Are Now talks about turning a one-two-three punch of pandemic life changes into a 12,000 mile road trip, a book deal, and a newfound calling as an oral historian. Find Michelle on the web: * Website:Who We Are Now * Instagram: @WhoWeAreNowUSA * Instagram behind the scenes: @MichelleFishburne * Facebook: @WhoWeAreNowUSA * LinkedIn She’s on a journey, but not in a Bachelor way. Here’s to the band that plays the HELL out of air keyboards. Than...

“Time to regroup”: Lisette Smith, certified financial planner, on thinking of our work lives in chapters, the best ways to plan for a Midlife Gap Year, and why early retirement may not be as desirable as the occasional long pause. * Download the Midlife Gap Year guide here * Advisory Group SF * Pop Culture Preservation Society Podcast – Nancy riffing on The Early Days of MTV Why worry? Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behind the podcast – check him out here! ***Th...

“That’s my call”: San Francisco Ballet’s Christopher Dennis on the obvious career path that nonetheless had to be pointed out to him, the patience and grace that comes with experience, and the ballet’s pandemic pirouette to digital delivery. Stream the San Francisco Ballet’s 2021 season here Ok, George Lopez, being a trendsetter! Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behind the podcast – check him out here! ***This is a rough transcription of Episode 97 of the Midlife ...

“It means different things all the time, but it always works”: Listeners share stories of the music of their lives, from Prince to Joni Mitchell to The Beastie Boys and everyone in between. Find the full archive of 30+ Still in Rotation guest posts here! This 2021 re-recording of “Biko” by my still-in-rotation performer Peter Gabriel is just jaw-dropping to me. Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behind the podcast – check him out here! ***This is a rough transcripti...

“I grieve and thank Time for all of these reasons”: In this special year-end episode, a compendium of listeners’ stories of the losses they’re grieving and something they’re grateful for in 2020, and a tribute to the most wonderful mom in the world. * Midlife Mixtape End of Year Virtual Dance Party with DJ Damon – Dec 22 at 6 pm PT * Wendi Aarons’ humor writing on McSweeneys * Wendi Aarons’ humor writing on the New Yorker Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behind th...

“Find an upbeat ending”: NYT bestselling author Bruce Feiler on the power of storytelling when we go through difficult times, the universal patterns of “lifequakes”, and how we can better manage change at any age. * BruceFeiler.com * Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age * The Life Story Project * Bruce’s Ted Talks In honor of Bruce’s first concert, my mom’s birthday this week, and presenting Midlife Mixtape Podcast sponsor Amateur Music Network, I bring you my favorite JD song...

“Figure out your ball”: In her work as “aspiring Fairy Godmother”, tech startup veteran Joanna Bloor talks about uncovering your unique magic, why “adventure timelines” are better than resumes, and channeling her inner Bette Midler. * Joanna’s website Joanna Bloor * Joanna working with Fatima to create magic – video * Joanna’s live show every Friday talking about the Future of the Human Workplace and how you can rock your place in it. Tickets Here * FIGURE 8 VOYAGE – 4 Oceans, 2 Circumnavigation...

“The responsible thing to do”: In this special episode, UCSF public health specialist Dr. George Rutherford MD answers Midlife Mixtape listeners’ questions about COVID, vaccine development, and how to stay safe in the months ahead. Fresh Garbage but ain’t no spinach Thanks as always to M. The Heir Apparent, who provides the music behind the podcast – check him out here! ***This is a rough transcription of Episode 86 of the Midlife Mixtape Podcast. It originally aired on November 10, 2020. Transc...

“Our freedoms are tied together”: Angela Lang, Executive Director of Black Leaders Organizing for Community (BLOC), on why helping a community’s most marginalized citizens creates better outcomes for all, BLOC’s pandemic pivot, and Backstreet Boys. Alright? * Learn more and support Black Leaders Organizing for Community at BlocByBloc.org Other grassroots regional organizations focusing on GOTV and helping underserved communities thrive: * Advance Carolina – a Black-led organization in North Caro...

“This good, hard life”: Licensed counselor Mazi Robinson on the payoff from the pain that may come with midlife transitions, concrete steps for navigating COVID mental health challenges, and living through a crisis in parallel with her clients. * Cultivate Atlanta – Mazi’s practice * Cultivate on Instagram and Facebook * Ep 37 “Life Reimagined” Author Journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty * Ep 46 “Happiness Curve” Author Jonathan Rauch * Ep 69 “Why We Can’t Sleep” Author Ada Calhoun Books recommend...

“A bunch of big questions”: Reverend Andrew Hybl on enlisting in the military after 9/11, how doubts raised during active duty in Iraq gradually unfolded into Episcopal priesthood, and how Tupac nudged the whole process along. * Are you registered to vote? Check here to be sure and to get involved in GOTV efforts near you! * Write letters to Swing State voters and encourage them to make their voices heard! Back when I was asked to compile a mixtape to be played in the lobby for the Listen To You...

“Inquisitive, interested, exploratory”: Margit Detweiler on the motivation behind multimedia “grown-ass lady storytelling” platform TueNight.com, lessons she’s learned about patience and perseverance, and THE must-play GenX slumber-party game. * TueNight.com * Still in Rotation: Young Americans – Margit’s essay on Midlife Mixtape * This Is What the American Dream Really Looks Like – Nancy’s ode to her FIL on TueNight * How Do I Feel About a Midlife Crisis? Whatever – the TueNight essay that led ...