About Us
Paul Menzel
Jim Conlan
Season Four: Jan '22 to Jan '23
Episode No. 75: "Going Fourth."
The Old Dogs ramble about another Dubious Year filled with Dubiously Entertaining Episodes.
The Old Dogs Conversation
We offer a SPECIAL CONVERSATION with Kathleen O'Brien, Suzanne Savoy and Kathy Biehl about the problems women face as they age. Anyone ever feel totally invisible? Anyone?
Episode No. 76: "The Upside of the Lockdown."
The Old Dogs ramble about how we've benefited from the Pandemic
The Old Dogs Conversation
We continue our SPECIAL CONVERSATION with Kathleen O'Brien, Suzanne Savoy and Kathy Biehl about the problems women face as they age. Kathleen is our Chief Aging Officer and the author of Reclaim Your Right to Grow Old. Suzanne Savoy is an actor currently presenting a one-woman show at venues around the country. Kathy Biehl is an actor, lawyer, astrologer, and extremely funny person. We just sat there and listened.
Episode No. 77: "A Memory Lapse You Can Forget."
The Old Dogs ramble about all the stuff people take to improve their memory.
The Old Dogs Conversation
DAVID BORN is so good at pretending to be ROBIN WILLIAMS that a lot of people think the actor is still alive. But that's only one of this versatile actor's many entertaining skills. How does he juggle it all? By loving it all.
Episode No. 78: "Dye Hard - with a Vengeance."
The Old Dogs want to know: what older guy needs to dye his hair?
The Old Dogs Conversation
Practically every comedian who has made it big knows RICH SHYDNER. He’s a very funny guy who has done standup forever, but even people who haven’t seen him perform have laughed at his jokes in some of America’s funniest TV shows.
Episode No. 79: "Trust Us: This is Not a Scam."
The Old Dogs are feeling vulnerable about online scammers - and so should you.
The Old Dogs Conversation
GEOFF CAMERON came rather later to the podcasting game when he started experiencing issues with his eyesight. Rather than sit around and mope, Geoff decided what listeners needed was exposure to people with a positive outlook in negative times. It's a case of poor eyesight leading to good insight.
Episode No. 80: "Is it a Fish... or a Football?"
The Old Dogs ponder why some people get goldfish... and then get rid of goldfish.
The Old Dogs Conversation
MARLIN MURDOCK developed a love for teaching almost as soon as he left college. This love was based on his inherent curiosity and a thirst for knowledge that he continues to pursue and share. In his current pursuits that has resulted in a number of efforts designed specifically to encourage folks our age to take a fresh look at the possibilities of aging intentionally and energetically.
Episode No. 81: "Is that a crossbow in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"
The Old Dogs speculate on hiring a stranger to sit with us and do nothing.
The Old Dogs Conversation
KATHLEEN SINCLAIR had a mid-life crisis with her divorce. After learning to make a living on her own, she began exploring what it means to grow older. This led her to write a challenging book with an incredibly provocative title.
Episode No. 82: "We wonder why we wander"
The Old Dogs wonder why our minds seem to wander so much lately.
The Old Dogs Conversation
DAVID ROSELL is a world traveler and a financial advisor with a long track record of helping people to grow their portfolios. David has now written a book called Failure is Not an Option, Creating Certainty in the Uncertainty of Retirement. He also hosts a podcast called "Recession Proof Your Retirement." We asked David to tell us about the different strategies we need to consider once we stop earning income.
Episode No. 83: "Nothing comes between me and my genes"
The Old Dogs ponder the ethics of using genetics to solve cold cases
The Old Dogs Conversation
At age 66 STEVEN MIKITA is one of the oldest survivors of spinal muscular atrophy. SMA is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disease that causes difficulty with basic life functions such as breathing, swallowing, and walking. Despite his physical limitations, he has dedicated his adult life to disability advocacy. He spent more than 30 years as a Utah Assistant Attorney General, championing protections for individuals with disabilities. Steve also contributed to the development of SMA treatment by acting as the FDA’s Patient Representative for SMA.
Episode No. 84: "I'm aging. Save my place."
The Old Dogs speculate on the possibilities of aging in place.
The Old Dogs Conversation
TED SWINDLEY is a successful producer, director and theatre manager who hasn't slowed down in his 70's. Over the years he has helped launch new plays, consulted on adaptations, and directed over 200 productions. Ted is best known for developing and producing a new kind of musical theatre in 1997, the worldwide hit Always Patsy Cline. We spoke with Ted in Nashville, where he's working on yet another breakthrough musical.
Episode No. 85: "Happiness is a Warm Podcast"
The old dogs happily dwell on the subject of happiness.
The Old Dogs Conversation
STANLEY SANTIRE is founder and managing member of the Santire Law Firm, based in Houston, Texas. For more than three decades he has counseled and represented clients in labor and employment matters, civil rights, construction, and business transactions. He is experienced in mediation, arbitration, trial and appellate work. In his practice Stanley has felt a strong need for a better mediation system – one that gives a more level playing field for the little guy. Now he’s putting that need into practice with a new kind of mediation process.
Episode No. 86: "This is, like, our 86th episode, you know?"
The old dogs discuss some of their favorite peeves about crutch words
The Old Dogs Conversation
After leaving her successful career as an advertising executive and agency owner, DEIRDRE VIRVO became a full-time real estate investor and entrepreneur. Her passion for seniors led her to open Just Like Home, LLC, a company that specializes in boutique senior assisted-living residences. Deirdre teaches workshops to help seniors and their families create a housing roadmap to honor seniors’ wishes and prepare for elder care. She's the author of Home to Home, The Step by Step Senior Housing Guide.
Episode No. 87: "Driving for Dollars"
The old dogs wonder if the price of gasoline is affecting them - lifestyle? Well being? Wallet?
The Old Dogs Conversation
LYNETTE ROSS is currently serving as a Sabbatical Pastor at a congregational church. But she took a long and circuitous route to get there. Born in the Mormon Church, they parted ways when Lynette had other priorities. A sharp business person, she spent years in corporate America before turning to her spiritual needs.
Episode No. 88: "The Episode with an Irish Accent"
The Old Dogs ramble about how they're handling the heat. In a word: badly.
The Old Dogs Conversation
MICHAEL HERNAN was born on the island of Inishmore off the coast of western Ireland. Jim's family hired him to take them around the island and he provided us with fascinating glimpses of Inishmore's past and present, laced with wit and good humor.
Episode No. 89: "Lions and Tigers and Bears... Not!"
the Old Dogs reminisce about the good old three-ring circus.
The Old Dogs Conversation
ALLEN ROTH is just a simple farm boy from Nebraska who happened to spend over 40 years in Hollywood hosting actors both famous and infamous. Allen's recording studio was a popular place for producers and directors to book for commerials, movie promos and assorted special features. Allen has retired to a ranch - a California ranch, of course, but he still vividly remembers the folks he met.
Episode No. 90: "Can we defund political junkmail?
The Old Dogs philosophize about political advertising.
The Old Dogs Conversation
JIM MARTINEZ heads up Sight into Sound in Houston. This organization is one of three in the US who air our podcast every week to some 50 thousand sight-impaired listeners. Jim shares with us the unique aspects of his volunteer driven organization and the challenges of keeping up with technology.
Episode No. 91: "Winnie the Pooh is Coming for YOU."
The Old Dogs ponder the notion of "ashes to ashes" in the 21st Century.
The Old Dogs Conversation
BETH WERNICK loves the entertainment business. She loves it so much that she has had many careers in that business, including actress, voice talent, looping artist and music guru to the TV industry. After living in New York and L.A., she finds she can be just as productive and in demand from her new home in… you guessed it… Kansas.
Episode No. 92: "If it's Tuesday this must be Cleveland."
The Old Dogs wonder why long drives seem to be getting longer.
The Old Dogs Conversation
BOB DAUBER must have been a heck of a production guy because he kept getting hired away from good jobs. Starting as a copywriter for Montgomery Ward, he worked in radio and TV production in Chicago and Dallas where his reputation landed him a place in the warm confines of the Barney TV show. Back in Chicago, Bob reflects on his life, his friends, and his winning formula for life.
Episode No. 93: "Kim Kardashian made me do it!"
The Old Dogs ponder how famous people try to influence us.
The Old Dogs Conversation
MARGIE SEAMAN is an unabashed octogenarian who decided that after a four-decade career in marketing she was ready for something new. A college grad after 50, she's a successful website designer and the creator of the popular travel blog The Graytripper. Her latest bid to stave off boredom is the publication of her first romance novel.
Episode No. 94: "Elect me the heck out of here!"
Episode No. 94: "Elect me the heck out of here!"
The Old Dogs ramble about the early days of television
The Old Dogs Conversation
SHERRY HALPERIN has been connected in many ways to the entertainment business. From distributing feature films, agenting actors, directing stage productions and working on hundreds of hours of network and cable television, Sherry has made her mark as a writer, producer and director. Lately, though, she's found her voice as an author of humorous fiction aimed squarely at Old Dogs like us.
Episode No. 95: "This podcast is a reality show. So why aren't we rich?"
The Old Dogs ramble about the fascination with so-called Reality Shows.
The Old Dogs Conversation
DEBORAH WHISNAND is an ordained minister and a seasoned trainer of interfaith Chaplains. Her career has given her a unique perspective on end-of-life decisions. This is an uncomfortable but important topic for people our age, so we've divided the conversation two parts. Part One appears in this episode and Part Two in the next.
Episode No. 96: "Don’t trim my eyebrows, I want a combover."
The Old Dogs ramble about all that junk mail we've been getting about Medicare Advantage.
The Old Dogs Conversation
In our last episode we started a conversation with DEBORAH WHISNAND, an ordained minister and a trainer of interfaith Chaplains. She described the various practical options we have in planning our final years. In this episode Deborah talks about the personal support we can choose in the last stage of our lives.
Episode No. 97: "Resolved: No New Years Resolutions."
The Old Dogs ramble about the merits of making resolutions we either can't or won't keep.
The Old Dogs Conversation
ROY MEINKE participated in the nation’s space program from its early days through the 1980’s. As a contractor for NASA, he specialized in navigation, guidance and control, knew Werner von Braun, and played a role in some of NASA’s most celebrated moments. Retired now for over 30 years, Roy still has plenty on his plate.
Episode No. 97: "Resolved: No New Years Resolutions."
Episode No. 98: "Hey, Twitter, Who's Your Daddy?"
the Old Dogs ramble about better - or at least different - endings for popular movies.
The Old Dogs Conversation
CHRIS GOLDEN is a man who was literally born to make music. As a member of the Golden family, he played with his father, William Lee Golden, as well as providing backup for popular acts like Alabama. As other musicians' careers are winding down, Chris finds himself in the spotlight as a solo Country Gospel performer. And the attention he's getting is something younger performers should envy.
Episode No. 99: “Psst… Wanna Buy a Soccer Stadium – Cheap?”
The Old Dogs ramble about some of the things we just can't explain
The Old Dogs Conversation
If you ever watch anime, you've probably heard JOHN SWASEY. Of course, you may have to ask your grandkids what anime is. John has been lending his versatile voice to anime features since the 90's. He has voiced hundreds of characters, acted in hundreds of radio and TV commercials, and appeared in several films, including the cult favorite Dazed and Confused. John's wife, who should know, considers him the "Kevin Bacon" of anime. Whatever that means.
Episode No. 100: “Funny, we don't feel like 100.”
The Old Dogs look back on all the fun we've had over the last four years.
The Old Dogs Conversation
MIKE VANCE is one of those rare people who is funnier than we are. He was the first comedian ever on stage at Paul's famous Comedy Workshop's stand up night. Mike has appeared nationally on Showtime, A&E and Comedy Central and headlined clubs in thirty something states and five countries. Mike's popular characters include Coach Leon Springs, basketball expert Jacques Layuppe, NASCAR Kenny, and the ghost of Harry Caray. If that's not enough, Mike is a celebrated authority on Texas history, writing and producing the Birth of Texas series and Postcards from Texas. Mike is here to give us his unique perspective on 2022.