The Age Sage: Recent Episodes
Robert J. LaCosta
Seniors to seniors…Whether Generation Z, Millennial, Boomer or beyond, the common denominators of every stage of life is explored as host Robert J. LaCosta interviews seniors about how they got to where they are and how they are continuing to crush-it in their mature years. LaCosta is known as THE Senior Editor because he has interviewed seniors for the past three decades and is perhaps the longest-running writer in this narrowest of niches. This podcast affords him the opportunity to pass along the same sagely wisdom that he has received from elders and has admired during his thirties, forties, fifties and now. LaCosta is a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist who has helped over 10,000 seniors overcome hearing impairment. He draws deeply from the intimacy and privilege of those relationships.
Criminal defense attorney Terry Kindlon joins The Senior Editor once again for another robust segment!
Terry has been through the war…literally and figuratively. In Vietnam, a head-wound from enemy fire sent him back to The States. During his long and storied legal career, Kindlon battled big and small foes. He took cases of notoriety and ones that no one will ever hear of or desire to find out about. Now, it’s the war of aging and he’s admirably manning his position.
Tune in and be absolutely inspired.
In this first segment of noted criminal defense attorney Terry Kindlon’s interview, we see how an interest in becoming a pilot led to active service during the Tet Offensive where his life was nearly taken by an enemy bullet in the rice paddies of Vietnam. In a great act of courage, a fellow Marine rescued Kindlon from drowning that day. In the process, his rescuer was shot in the spine and paralyzed for the rest of his life. However, he would not find out about his rescuers until decades later when a surprise phone call triggered an incredible journey to thank the man that saved his life. Hear Part 1 of this remarkable veteran’s story on The Age Sage with Robert J. LaCosta
There are so many questions surrounding the Post Retirement years both in prepping for and navigating after. On this episode, Paula LaCosta gives sound advise from her personal experience on how she prepared for, adjusted with, and navigated after the post retirement years.
Whether you are young and prepping for your future, getting ready to retire—or already retired—the wisdom within this conversation is going to bless you and bring you hope.
It’s not every day that a bomb goes off when you’re sitting in your seventy-second floor office looking down upon The Statue of Liberty. Smoke climbed up our guest’s stairwells, but she had to climb down those same stairs in the dark with a knee brace on and a tissue covering her mouth and nose. Our guest, Paula LaCosta, sheds light on the reality of the World Trade Center bombing—straight from her very own encounter.
“We slide into aging,” she says. “We don’t just jump in.”
That’s the literal and figurative conclusion of an extremely active senior who found herself suddenly in a boot after breaking her ankle when several canines accidentally bumped into her at a dog park.
And adjusting to quick or slow transitions is a key aspect of octogenarian Marie Liddle’s “success” at handling change.
Change can happen fast and this is just one example of how quickly change can happen in our lives and it seems that seniors are more likely to experience profound transitions than any other population.
Widowhood, which also happened recently to Liddle, would leave anyone limping on the inside.
And as a former coloratura soprano opera singer, she had to deal with another sudden heartbreaking change as a result of a thyroid operation.
She makes more than the best of it by hitting the notes she can and appreciating the parts reserved for her in certain songs that she sings with the Friendship Singers, a group of gifted vocalists and entertainers.
As the group’s leader and director, Liddle brings the trait of adjustment to this great group of joy-givers.
She can speak with great authority on handling the large and smaller curves of life - the topic on this edition of The Age Sage.
"Knitted together” is more than a trite play on words when used to describe a group of mature women who meet weekly to make quilts and blankets and advanced projects. In a rural town in Upstate New York, seniors Norma Messer, Chloe Van Aiken, Pam Hassett, Pat Cunningham and Gail Benmosche are the “Material Girls” who weave deep friendships and transparently share the ups and downs of their lives. They have lots of laughs as well from “needling” each other, but levity is only part of their story. They are skilled and the treasures they create are lasting ones for everyone from newborns to newlyweds. Listen to them spin some yarn on The Age Sage.
Listen here or on ANY major podcast platform! Be sure to rate, review, like, comment and share!
How do you explain that Elvis Presley's popularity is growing a half century after his death and gaining great momentum with the younger generations? Listen in as Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) Sylvain Leduc explains why youngsters are being drawn to Elvis through the social media channels and why ETA's still attract crowds at their performances all over the world. Get insight as to what it takes to be an ETA and how these skilled musicians take their job seriously. Whether you're an Elvis fan or not, you will be intrigued by the insights of Sylvain Leduc.
"Knitted together” is more than a trite play on words when used to describe a group of mature women who meet weekly to make quilts and blankets and advanced projects. In a rural town in Upstate New York, seniors Norma Messer, Chloe Van Aiken, Pam Hassett, Pat Cunningham and Gail Benmosche are the “Material Girls” who weave deep friendships and transparently share the ups and downs of their lives. They have lots of laughs as well from “needling” each other, but levity is only part of their story. They are skilled and the treasures they create are lasting ones for everyone from newborns to newlyweds. Listen to them spin some yarn on The Age Sage.
Listen here or on ANY major podcast platform! Be sure to rate, review, like, comment and share!
Bob Messer, 86, joins the Senior Editor, and your host, Robert J. LaCosta, for Part two of this two part series. Bob Messer is a remarkable individual with many talents, one of them being an incredible craftsman with wood; and more specifically, creating toy chests for children. On this episode, the discussion only gets better! What is the benefit of giving rather than receiving? Well, find out what the two "sages" have to say!
Tune in and be encouraged! Be sure to like, comment, and share!
Bob Messer, 86, joins the Senior Editor, and your host, Robert J. LaCosta. Bob Messer is a remarkable individual with many talents, one of them be an incredible craftsman with wood; and more specifically, creating toy chests for children. On this episode, the two jump into some topics that will uncover hidden gems that will leave you wanting more.
Tune in and be encouraged! Be sure to like, comment, and share!
In todays society, how are relationships built between a man and a women? What did this look like a few decades ago? On this episode, The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, and his guest, John Barr wrap up this three part series, they end with the topic of relationships, and how they should be built. So, get ready for some profound wisdom!
John Barr is one of a kind. At 84 years old, he not only continues to dance but does Pilates, Yoga, and maintains a 100 acre property with a house from the 1700's. The insight that John brings on this series will surely encourage and inspire you.
Has Capitalism become a "dirty word" in our society today? Or is it just perceived as something bad? On this episode, guest John Barr and The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, discuss the importance of Capitalism as well as its benefits—not only for ourselves but for those around us.
John Barr is one of a kind. At 84 years old, he not only continues to dance but does Pilates, Yoga, and maintains a 100 acre property with a house from the 1700's. The insight that John brings on this series will surely encourage and inspire you.
What is work? Is it something we do to get paid? Or is it something we do out of love? In our society today, these questions are certainly important; however, the answers to these questions clue us in to both our individual and societal perspectives—and the perceptions we have about those various perspectives. On this episode, guest John Barr and The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, discuss what work is, what love is, and how the two can connect. John Barr is one of a kind. At 84 years old, he not only continues to dance but does Pilates, Yoga, and maintains a 100 acre property with a house from the 1700's. The insight that John brings on this series will surely encourage and inspire you.
From his past positions as an executive director to that of a seasoned pastor and now retired, Dr. Hal Habecker discusses how to finish well: that you are never finished with the art of living and giving. Hal draws on the lessons he's learned from mature people who have spoken into this life.
From his past positions as an executive director to that of a seasoned pastor and now retired, Dr. Hal Habecker discusses how to finish well: that you are never finished with the art of living and giving. Hal draws on the lessons he's learned from mature people who have spoken into this life.
A Priest married for 50 years? No need for a visit to a confessional, Father Mike Melanson is one special case. After breast cancer claimed the life of his wife, Melanson braved the grief that followed before a visit to his church changed his life. While weeping and praying, he heard a voice say, “Show my love.” After exploring what that might mean, he concluded that it meant to display God’s love through the Eucharist which only a priest could do. That led to an intensive time of study and dedication. In his seventies, he was ordained and now serves as a parish priest near Albany, New York. His adult children and he have a joke about his new title, “Father Dad.” In this two-part podcast, Senior Editor Robert J. LaCosta discusses the ups and downs of widowhood, the process of ordination, the unique position he carries as the oldest active parish priest in his diocese. He understands military service, marriage, children, grandchildren, career pressures and understands widowhood and all of that helps him in his role as a priest. Get ready for a remarkable conversation.
Married for 50 years, Father Michael Melanson might not seem the likeliest candidate for the priesthood. But the widower’s love for Christ pushed him past the grief of losing his beloved wife. He was even kidded by his kids, “Do we now call you Father Dad?” All kidding aside, this very intense lover of God and people lays out all the highs and lows of the rollercoaster ride of faith (no matter what faith you are) with Senior Editor Robert J. LaCosta.
Though there are many, many differences between todays generation and the generation of our guest; however, there is a bridge that has the potential to unite the two. On Part 2 of this Two Part Series with Guest Bill Scharoun, your ears will certainly be delighted that you tuned in, as your host, once again, pulls out solid wisdom and insight from his guest within their discussion. Listen in and be encouraged.
Many people often wonder what the difference between the "days of old" (say the 1940's) are like, compared to todays world. Well, on this episode, you'll take a ride called Experience, with Guest Bill Scharoun as your guide. On the first half of the this Two Part Series, The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, uses his inquisitive mind to ask just the right questions to pull creative, informative, and enlightening answers from his guest. You will certainly gain a whole new outlook on the importance of the well known phrase, "Keep looking ahead." That and so much more, right here, on The Age Sage.
In part 1, with The Gentle Giant of the Rescue Mission, we looked back on how Kevin Anderson's past helped shape his future. In this episode, we learn how Kevin embraces his age with gratitude. How does he do this? Because of the following perspective: “Don’t let your age dictate your future,” he said, noting that some of his friends didn’t make it to 50. “I embrace my age with gratitude. My job is not done.” ~Kevin Anderson.
Tune in and be encouraged to embrace your purpose, and press into it with gratitude.
It’s not as important to ask sixty year-old Kevin Anderson how he ended up as the Evening Supervisor Manager at the Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany as it to inquire what happened to his heart every step of the way. But in order to grasp how he walked into the role as “The Watchman” of the mission, it’s important to know how his background prepared him for the crises that he handles on a daily basis - and how he might see himself in each one of them. On this episode, The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, explores all of this and more, right here on The Age Sage!
They say perspective is key; well, for our guest today, Robert Reitner, this certainly holds true. On this edition of The Age Sage with The Senior Editor, Robert. J. LaCosta, you will be inspired as you listen to the wisdom that flows out of this conversation, and will hear a perspective that will encourage you, whether you are a young person, someone in the middle, or are in retirement and beyond. Robert Reitner is a man who has not, and does not, allow his age to slow him down from doing what he is passionate about and what brings a certain thrill to his life. Listen in and be motivated to live your best life now!
The Senior Editor, Robert J LaCosta, speaks with one of the worlds greatest devotionalists, author Jack Countryman. On this episode, Jack reveals secrets to life that, when put in practice, will not only bring you understanding and hope, but a peace that surpasses all understanding. Join the conversation and glean from one of life's "Great's," right here on The Age Sage.
"If God will take care of the birds, certainly He will take care of me too." This scripture will come alive as you listen to the conversation between your host, The Senior Editor, Robert J LaCosta and guest Don Foust. On this episode, they talk about an idea that not only became reality, but changed others reality. Jump in and join the conversation, as you will be encouraged, right here on The Age Sage!
When we hear the term "Inventor,' we often think of people such as Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Eli Whitney, and the list goes on. But are there such men like this today? The answer, of course, is yes! And on this episode of The Age Sage, The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, talks with inventor Jack Harlow about some fascinating inventions, as well as what it takes to become a great inventor. Tune in and enjoy, once again, another dynamic interview!
From the Boomer Generation to the Generation today, what are the differences? What are the similarities? And how do each of them handle change? Well, on this episode, Robert J. LaCosta explores these questions as he dives in a deep, genuine discussion with Dr. Perry Sherman. If you love fascinating conversations that go beyond the surface, you are in the right place. Tune in and be sure to share!
On this episode of The Age Sage, The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, talks with the great Charlie Daniels about patriotism, Christianity, music, and more. Charlie was a huge blessing to and advocate for our veterans. He loved God, and loved his country. Even at the ripe old age of 73, the time that this interview took place, Charlie was still touring strong. Tune in and enjoy a one of a kind conversation, right here on The Age Sage.
The "Senior Editor," Robert J. LaCosta, talks with the Author of The Bike Cop, Jamie Bruner. They dive deep into what The Bike Cop series is all about, why it was written, and how you too can achieve your goals no matter what stage of life you are in right now. So whether you are a senior in college or a senior in your mature years, listen in and be inspired.
On this episode of The Age Sage, The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, interviews cofounder and Senior VP of HORIPRO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP in Nashville TN, Butch Baker. They not only dive deep into the music, and music publishing industry, but bring tons of encouragement to anyone with a dream for there lives. You will certainly be inspired, encouraged, and educated—so tune in and enjoy!
What does it mean to fulfill God's plan in your aging years? On this episode of The Age Sage, The Senior Editor, Robert J. LaCosta, interviews Hal Halbecker, Leader of Finishing Well Ministry, to answer that very question. You'll be inspired as they share some "Golden Nuggets" on how to press into the heart of God no matter your circumstance. Tune in and learn how to live well during the "senior season" of life, or any season of life!
On this Pilot Episode of The Age Sage with Robert J. LaCosta, producer, Ken Burns, interview THE Senior Editor, Rober J. LaCosta, about his journey with interviewing seniors, and what the mission of this podcast is.