The Age Sage

On this episode of The Age Sage, "The Senior Editor," Robert J LaCosta, talks with Dr. Ted Baehr, Founder and Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE®: The Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment and Chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission® ministry, as well as a noted critic, educator, lecturer, and media pundit; who's life purpose is to be used of God to redeem the values of the media while educating audiences on how to use discernment in selecting their entertainment. Listen in and get "behind the scenes" wisdom—right here on The Age Sage “He who controls the media controls the culture” – Ted Baehr.

The "King of Devotionals," Jack Countryman, stops in for a special visit with The Senior Editor, to have a brilliant conversation on the topic of contentment, and how surrender plays a vital role in obtaining it. While Jack's devotions have been, and continue to be inspirational, on this episode of The Age Sage, Jack's personal testimony will no doubt have an impact on those who listen. Jack is 94 years young, completely content, and still going strong. Question is, how is he so content and what is the secret to such contentment? Tune in and discover the answer with The Senior Editor, Robert J LaCosta, and his guest, Jack Countryman - right here, on The Age Sage.

Guest, Rose Looney, who is both a mother and grandmother, feels the cultural slide began to happen when mothers went to work and no one was home to help with the homework and the general guidance of youngsters and teenagers. Looney also feels that relationships between boys and girls has changed and it affects females more than men in a lot of ways. She suggests that if girls would take their time in dating, they would get to know the man behind the date. In this way, break-ups and divorce wouldn’t be as common and the stresses of single motherhood might be avoided. She speaks with some authority. After losing her lifetime mate of fifty-six years, she reminisces with clarity about how he treated her, protected her and spent his life serving her just as she served him. Their devotion toward each other is symbolized in a Valentine card that Bill gave to her that she keeps on her bed and kisses every night. “I still tell him that I love him and miss him,” she says. “It’s going to be a while before I can go to the places we used to go together.” She gives singles advice that may seem simple, but can’t be argued with: “It’s love, you gotta love them with all your heart, put them first and respect them. “He liked to travel. I had never done that. He enjoyed camping and I hadn’t experienced that before. I went for him - even with the worms and the bugs and even though I’m a city girl.” Now, that’s love.

Seventy-seven year old Rose Looney considers herself a fan of the 1950’s and it’s not just because of her devotion to singer Dion DiMucci and all of the great talent of the Doo-Wop age. “It was a time of innocence,” she says. “I’m sure there were things happening that we didn’t know about, but for the most part it was the greatest of times.” She points to her music teen-idols as good role models and as an example of why she defends the fifties. “There was no swearing on stage,” she remembers. “Men wore suits and ladies dressed up to look like ladies. We wouldn’t have imagined women coming out hardly wearing anything.” Looney believes that the key difference between then and now was that they bore their talents instead of bearing their bodies. “They weren’t singing about drugs, they were perfect gentlemen and had respect for the audience knowing that their fans were good people,” she said. “No one threw their underwear on the stage.” Listen in and get ready to take a trip to the 1950's with both The Senior Editor and our guest, Rose Looney.

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.