EPISODE 7
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. The conversation dives into aging, purpose, community impact, entrepreneurship, and the power of building systems that allow people to live with dignity and independence — all with plenty of warmth, humor, and heart.
AGING AT HOME:
HOPE IS ON THE WAY
EPISODE 6
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.
AGING OUT OF F*CKS
EPISODE 5
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.
You’ll meet residents (including a 100-year-old Cedars member), hear honest stories about affordability, lifestyle, health needs, and community, and get an inside look at how people choose where to live as their lives and bodies change. With humor, heart, and real on-the-ground conversations, this episode helps you imagine what aging well might look like for you or someone you love.
WHERE TO LIVE?
EPISODE 4
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. We dive into emerging trends like aquamation, natural burial, and human composting, as well as evolving conversations around psychedelics at the end of life and medical aid in dying. He also breaks down how aquamation works, why traditional funeral services can be so expensive, and how his own experience with grief after his father’s death shaped his approach to caring for others. This episode challenges long-held assumptions about death and invites a more thoughtful, personal, and meaningful way to say goodbye.
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDSWELL
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. Drawing from her decades of experience developing the Positive Approach to Care framework, Teepa breaks down how changing how we think about and respond to behaviors can radically improve everyday interactions and reduce stress for both care partners and those they support. You'll come away with clear, real-world strategies—like how to work with someone living with brain change rather than doing things to them—and a richer understanding of what it means to maintain dignity, connection, and shared purpose in care.
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. She breaks down the most common schemes hitting seniors today, how criminals use emotional manipulation and even AI-generated voices, and how you can spot a scam before it happens. You’ll also learn exactly what to do if you or a loved one falls victim, plus the free resources available to help protect your family. This is an essential conversation to share with anyone at risk.
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.