EPISODES
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EPISODE 12: WHEN IS IT TIME TO INTERVENE? MANAGING A MOVE & CAREGIVING
When is “I’m fine” no longer fine for an aging parent or loved one? Judy and Jess sit down with aging life care manager Jennifer Szakaly and senior move manager Cindy Greer to talk frankly about when to step in, when to move, and what it really costs- emotionally and financially. They dig into caregiving crossroads, aging in place vs. assisted living, solo agers, Medicaid realities, family conflict, and downsizing a lifetime of “stuff.” If you’re caring for parents, aging solo, or finally asking “What’s my plan?,” this episode will nudge you out of denial and into action.
EPISODE 11: MORE ABOUT SCAMS: THE BILLIONS-OF-DOLLARS PROBLEM
Scams and fraud are becoming more sophisticated every year, impacting people of all ages and backgrounds. In this episode, Judy and Jess welcome a very special guest, Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, to discuss the growing threat of scams and the challenges of fighting fraud in today's technology-driven world. Russ shares insights from his work, practical advice for protecting yourself, and why awareness remains one of the most powerful tools we have.
EPISODE 10: LONGEVITY: HOW STRONG SOCIAL TIES LEAD TO LONG LIVES
What if the secret to living a longer, healthier life has less to do with diet and supplements- and more to do with the people around you? In this episode, Judy and Jess welcome longevity expert and former NPR CEO Ken Stern, author of Healthy to 100. Drawing on research from some of the world's longest-lived countries, Ken explains how social connection, purpose, lifelong learning, and intergenerational relationships can dramatically improve both lifespan and quality of life.
EPISODE 9: THE GRIEF TRAIN: LESSONS IN GRIEF, GRATITUDE & LOVE
You never know when the Grief Train may stop at your station. When it does, author Marinda Freeman believes the answer isn't to avoid grief, but to honor it, learn from it, and eventually discover the gratitude and love that remain.
EPISODE 8: NO TIME TO SIT DOWN… GET ON OUT THERE!
In this episode, Judy introduces two groups of remarkable people who are proving that growing older doesn't mean slowing down. First, you'll meet members of the Orange County Lockdown Band, musicians who found friendship, purpose, and creative expression through music. Then you'll hear from participants in the Chatham County Senior Games, where competition, community, and personal growth continue well beyond retirement age. Their stories offer a powerful reminder that meaningful connections, lifelong learning, and a willingness to try new things can make the years ahead some of the most rewarding of our lives.
EPISODE 7: AGING AT HOME: HOPE IS ON THE WAY
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Not Ready for the Farm, Judy and Jess sit down with Nora Spencer, founder and CEO of Hope Renovations, to explore how one innovative nonprofit is changing lives across North Carolina. From empowering women and non-binary people through construction training to helping older adults safely age in place, Nora shares the deeply personal experiences, bold ideas, and unlikely path that led her to create a nationally recognized organization.
EPISODE 6: AGING OUT OF F*CKS
Judy and Jess sit down with therapist and writer Ellen Scherr for a funny, honest, and deeply relatable conversation about midlife reinvention. From divorce and career changes to perimenopause, regret, and self-worth, Ellen shares her own experience starting over at 46 and explains why so many women feel stuck — and how they can begin choosing themselves again. Together, they explore the thought patterns that hold people back, the grief that comes with aging, and why it’s never too late to build a life that actually feels fulfilling.
EPISODE 5: WHERE TO LIVE?
Where should you live as you age? In this episode, Judy and Jess explore three very different senior living options — from the massive, high-energy world of The Villages in Florida, to the upscale, medically supported lifestyle at The Cedars, to the social, flexible 55+ rental community at Overture.
EPISODE 4: ALL’S WELL THAT ENDSWELL
In Episode 4, we sit down with Hunter Beattie of Endswell Funeral Home to explore how a moment of reflection sparked by Desmond Tutu led him to a complete rethinking of modern death care. Hunter shares the origin story behind Endswell and what it means to be a “modern” funeral home, grounded in sustainability, transparency, and more human-centered practices.
EPISODE 3: DEMENTIA CARE: THE HELP YOU WISH YOU HAD SOONER —THE SNOW APPROACH
In this episode, we sit down with Teepa Snow MS, OTR/L, FAOTA and Amanda Bulgarelli of the Snow Approach Foundation in Hillsborough, NC for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to support people living with brain change.
EPISODE 2: STOP SENIOR SCAMS WITH AARP’S AMY NOFZIGER
Scammers are getting smarter and increasingly targeting older adults — but you can stay one step ahead. In this episode, we sit down with Amy Nofziger from the AARP Fraud Watch Network, who brings 20+ years of experience helping victims and tracking emerging scams.
EPISODE 1: DEATHBED INSIGHTS TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH DR. KATHY ZHANG
Our guest this week is palliative care physician Dr. Kathy Zhang — a woman who has witnessed more “departures” than LaGuardia. After Covid burnout and years of hearing countless deathbed regrets, she now advises others on how to live life to the fullest, including three questions you must ask yourself before you kick the bucket.