The Wisdom Whisperers
12/23/24 Passionate World Talk Radio with Betsy Wurzel
Betsy’s guest is Melinda Blau, a New York Times bestselling author and expert on relationships…
In today’s conversation, we delve into Melinda’s latest book, The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter. The book reflects on her friendships with women 20 or older than her and the invaluable wisdom, humor, and zest for life she gained from these relationships. Melinda shares how her friends’ experiences and perspectives on aging have reshaped her views and helped her approach the later stages of life with more joy and grace.
We also discuss the unique benefits of cultivating friendships with people who are much older than us, and how these relationships can offer profound insights into how to live a full, engaging life—whether in your 80s or well into your 100s.
This conversation also brought to mind my grandmother and mother, both of whom lived life to the fullest, despite facing hardships, which made Melinda’s book all the more meaningful.
In Betsy’s view, The Wisdom Whisperers is a heartwarming and inspiring read that encourages us to embrace our own family stories and to seek out friendships with older generations. Melinda would love to connect with book clubs via Zoom to discuss her book further, so be sure to reach out if you’re interested!
12/16/24 Books, Show Tunes, and Mad Acts with Jennifer Crittenden
Relationship expert Melinda Blau is back with her new book, “The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter.” Melinda began collecting her “old ladies,” as she calls them, in mid-life and shares here the tremendous wisdom and benefit she has received over the past twenty years or so from these relationships with women much older than she is. Not so much a book on aging as a continuation of Melinda’s astute career-long observations about the magic and wonder of relationships, The Wisdom Whisperers will make you laugh, reflect, learn, and may inspire you to give the book as a gift to someone dear to you. Always forthright and plain spoken, but also optimistic and good-humored, Melinda now finds herself in the ranks of these golden oldies and reminds the listeners to appreciate all that life has to offer. A wonderful upbeat and thought-provoking episode.
9/24/24 Stand Up with Pete Dominick
From the host: Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book, host, edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Subscribers gain access to a community of over 700 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls.
I have your news and sound clips from the weekend and my conversation with Melinda begins at 35 minutes in.
10/30/24 Positive Aging: The Patricia Raskin Show
Melinda Blau is the author of the new book The Wisdom Whisperers, a poignant, hilarious, and deeply insightful exploration of how to make the most of life’s possibilities—at any age… At its heart, The Wisdom Whisperers is about the boundless opportunities that unfold when we dare to look beyond age as a limiting factor.
8/14/24 Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age
“The Secret Sauce: Writers Melinda Blau, Kathleen Murphy, and Mark Tulin on Why They Embrace Aging”
With a new book about the women who inspire her to live a full life, NY Times best-selling author Melinda Blau talks with host Nancy Peckenham about unique women who come to life on the pages of The Wisdom Whisperers. She also introduces us to two of these women by reading passages from her newly-released book.
Author Kathleen Murphy, an essay writer from Utah, then reads her story about how she overcame fear of aging by making a list of her fears, then poking holes in each of them.
The episode ends with a reading by Mark Tulin, a writer and poet, who shares his contentment with life in his late 60s and his firm belief that he never wants to be young again.
8/11/24 The Joan Hamburg Show, ABC radio
Joan Hamburg converses with author Melinda Blau about her latest book, “The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter.” Blau discusses her relationships with older women who have inspired her with their resilience, humor, and ability to form meaningful connections at any age. The conversation explores themes of enduring friendships, the significance of small moments, and the importance of staying active and curious throughout life. Blau also reflects on her personal experiences of learning from her elder friends and emphasizes that aging should be embraced as a vital part of living fully.
7/23/24 Instagram Live with Barbara Biziou
Join me and @melindablau as we talk about the importance of honoring elders and what makes a radiant purpose driven life.
1/11/23 Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age
“My Old Ladies: How Women in Their 90s & 100s Inspire Me”
Award-winning author Melinda Blau talks with Crow’s Feet writer Warren Turner about the women she calls her “old ladies,” people who inspire her to squeeze the most out of life in her own late 70s. Meet Zelda, who played tennis until she was 99 and who still got a kick out of telling dirty jokes. Or Marge, a financial whiz at 104, who laughed as she pushed around her Rollator. Listen in as we learn what matters is not how old you are, but how you are old.
Author’s note: Revealing on this podcast that I was “writing a book about my old ladies,” pushed me to actually do it!
Relationships/Family
Going Beyond Mom with Randy Zinn: Melinda Blau Talks Individuality and Family with Beyond Mom
I Do: How to Make Your Spouse Listen When You Need to Talk
Included in The 5 Best Relationship Advice Podcast Episodes on Podyssey
Patricia Raskin Positive Living Show: Family Whispering
CBS News (video): Tips from the Baby Whisperer
Consequential Strangers
David Goldberg’s Insight: Consequential Strangers
NPR Talk of the Nation: The Importance of Consequential Strangers
Something You Should Know: The Mysterious Impact Strangers Have on You
How She Really Does It: The Importance of Consequential Strangers
My Quest for the Best with Bill Ringle: Striking Up Conversations with Strangers