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Health Beat: Redefining “Healthy” As We Age (Part 2)
Redefining health beyond weight, youth, and perfection
For most of our lives, “healthy” has been was defined for us by doctors, magazines, TV ads, and sometimes well-meaning relatives. It usually came packaged as a comment on our weight (up or down), the desire for a wrinkle-free face and body, or a public-facing appearance that looked young enough to pass inspection. As we age, that definition starts to crack.
Health at this stage of life is more about how we function, how we feel, and how we adapt. It’s being able to move through our day without pain, or a minimal amount of it. It’s having the energy to do the things that matter to us, whether that’s traveling, gardening, dancing, working, or simply enjoying time with people we want to be around.
It’s also about mental and emotional health, which doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Managing stress, sleeping decently, feeling connected, and having something that gives us a sense of purpose all matter just as much as blood pressure numbers.
Another big shift? Letting go of the idea that health is “all or nothing.” We can be managing a chronic condition and still be healthy. We can take medication daily (I do) and still be thriving. We can need naps – in my case nearly every afternoon – mobility aids, or extra recovery time and still be living well. Aging bodies change. That’s not failure, it’s biology.
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Tech Talk Week 3: Passwords, Passkeys, and Password Managers
Passwords are maddening, and now it seems every app I use on my phone wants me to set up facial recognition. I keep putting that off, since it reminds me too much of the vast surveillance state we live in getting even more intrusive. I will admit to liking it at the cruise terminals, when we now simply smile for the camera at customs and zip through. If I start seeing it more as a very effective form of security I’ll slowly but surely surrender. Maybe today’s the day.
Most of us are terrible at passwords, in part because we don’t like having to deal with them. We know we shouldn’t reuse the same one everywhere, but we do. We know “Password123!” is a bad idea, but we’ve probably used some version of it. And when a website demands one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, one symbol, a blood sample, and the name of your first pet, we sigh and write it down on a scrap of paper we immediately lose. Or, if you’re me, you add to an insanely long list of passwords on your phone’s Notes fuction or a varation of it. Then I had to scroll through 50 passwords looking for Chase Visa, or eBay. So let’s clear this up, calmly and with a minimum of frustration.
Why passwords are such a mess
Most of us now have dozens of online accounts: email, banking, shopping, streaming, social media, medical portals, travel sites. Remembering a unique, strong password for each one is basically a part-time job.
Reusing passwords feels easier, but it’s also risky. If one site gets hacked, criminals often try that same email-and-password combo everywhere else. That’s how a small breach turns into a big headache.
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‘Devil’s Wood’ Cover Survey, PLUS Listen to Chapter 1: Sticks and Stones
I’m 10 chapters into my new book, Devil’s Wood, about a cursed and ancient walking stick that brings ruin to anyone who posseses it. But why? Where did it come from? Who made it? And can the evil in the Devil’s wood be stopped?
HELP ME CHOOSE A COVER! TAKE THE SURVEY HERE (limited to 40 responses). Cover on the left? Cover on the right? A combination of the two, or start over?
And now …. I’ll be publishing one chapter each week of the audio version right here. You can check back every week, or SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK, On the Write Path With Mark McNease, where I’ll be sharing it with my subscribers every Monday.
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Savvy Senior: How To Turn Down the Volume on Tinnitus
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What treatments are recommended to help with tinnitus? I started noticing a subtle ringing in my ears about 10 years ago, but it’s gotten much more bothersome since I turned 60.
Ringing Ronnie
Dear Ronnie,
Tinnitus is actually one of the most common health conditions in the country. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders around 10 percent of the U.S. adult population – over 25 million Americans – experience some form of tinnitus.
For most people tinnitus is merely annoying, but roughly 5 million people struggle with chronic tinnitus and 2 million find it debilitating.
While there’s no cure, there are a range of different strategies you can employ to reduce the symptoms to make it less bothersome. Here’s what you should know.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus (pronounced TIN-a-tus or tin-NIGHT-us) is the sensation of hearing a ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing or whistling sound in one or both ears when no external sound is present.
The sounds, which can vary in pitch and loudness, are usually worse when background noise is low, so you may be more aware of it at night when you’re trying to fall asleep in a quiet room.
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LGBTSr Now Has Text To Speech (TTS)
Great news for readers and listeners alike. lgbtsr.online/ now offers TTS (Text-to-Speech), a feature that provides an audio version of every article, column and blog post. Whether you’re visually challenged, or simply giving your eyes a break, you can now listen to the articles we offer every week. It’s all part of our ongoing mission to make content more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.
For older adults and just passersby who prefer listening over reading, or anyone with visual challenges or busy hands, this feature is for you. Service has been at the heart of my mission with this for 15 years, and it’s going to keep growing this year. Stay tuned, and fasten your headphones.
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Your Weekly LGBTSr Humorscope:
For the week ahead, according to the stars… and a strong hunch.
♈ Aries
You’re feeling motivated this week, which is great, just try not to apply that energy to other people’s lives. Focus on your to-do list.
♉ Taurus
This is a comfort-seeking week. Rewatch something familiar, cook something easy, wear something soft. The universe fully supports pants with elastic waistbands.
♊ Gemini
You’ve got a lot to say this week, but practice listening without planning your response. A casual conversation could turn into an unexpected connection.
♋ Cancer
Feelings are floating close to the surface. You may find yourself reminiscing or reaching out to someone from the past. If it feels warm, lean in. If it feels heavy, let it drift by.
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The Twist Podcast 317: Good News Roundup, AI Shaming, and Our Weekly Recommendations
In Episode 317 of The Twist Podcast, co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose freshen the air with a good news roundup, a conversation about AI shaming, and our weekly recommendations for TV, books and culture.
We dig into why good news matters more than ever, how technology is shaping the way we judge ourselves and others, and what’s worth your time right now if you’re looking for something smart, entertaining, or just plain comforting. As always, the conversation is curious, candid, and just the right amount of off-the-rails.
Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Audible, and wherever you listen to your favorite shows. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and share—it really helps keep the conversation going.
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From the Book Bin: Chuck Wendig’s Stairway to Horror
By Mark McNeaseI’ve been a fan of Chuck Wendig’s ever since I read his fantastic Black River Orchard. He writes what I call literary horror, something I aspire to myself. He also lives not far from here, but I don’t know where. I just recognize Bucks County, PA, and the towns he uses in his stories – some real and some fictional. I also really like his blog Terrible Minds, where he reviews apples, talks about writing, and offers his sometimes bleak critiques of a world spiraling into madness. I’m currently reading his latest book, The Staircase in the Woods (April, 2025). It’s another knockout, and this week’s choice from the Book Bin.
But first, About Chuck Wendig in his own words
Wait, Who The Hell Is This Guy?
Chuck Wendig is the New York Times bestselling author of Wanderers, The Book of Accidents, Wayward, Black River Orchard, and more than two dozen other books for adults and young adults. A finalist for the Astounding Award and an alumnus of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, he has also written for comics, games, film, and television. He’s known for his popular blog, terribleminds, and books about writing such as Damn Fine Story. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with his family.
Terribleminds is his blog. Here he rambles on about writing, parenthood, food, pop culture, and other such shenanigans. It is NSFW and NSFL.
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A Twist Podcast Bonus Interview with Audiobook Narrator Daniela Acitelli
I had the pleasure of interviewing audiobook narrator and friend Daniela Acitelli, whose narration of three of my books is a highlight of the audiobook experience for me. We talked about her craft, her journey, and her life as an American ex-pat in London.
Daniela is an accomplished voice actor and narrator whose work is defined by clarity, emotional intelligence, and an instinctive feel for story.
What truly sets Daniela apart is her versatility and respect for the author’s voice. She approaches each project as a collaboration, shaping tone and character with care while remaining faithful to the intent of the material. She’s as much as part of my books now as the characters themselves. Listen in to our casual conversation.
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This Week’s Fun Facts: Taking a Bite Out of Teeth
Having just had a dental mini-crisis, I thought it would be fun to learn a few things about teeth.
- Your teeth are the only part of your body that can’t heal themselves.
Bones can mend, skin can regenerate—but once tooth enamel is damaged, it’s gone for good. - Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
It’s even stronger than bone. - Everyone’s teeth are as unique as fingerprints.
Tooth shape, spacing, and alignment are so individual that dental records can be used to identify a corpse. - You start forming teeth before you’re even born.
Baby teeth begin developing in the womb—even though they don’t show up for months (or years). -
George Washington didn’t have wooden teeth
Despite the myth, his dentures were made from a mix of human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory. -
Early dentures were literally spring-loaded
In the 1700s, some false teeth were held together with metal springs that forced the mouth open. Wearers had to clench constantly to keep their mouths closed. - Snails have thousands of teeth.
They’re tiny and arranged on a ribbon-like tongue called a radula. Some species have over 20,000 microscopic teeth, making them toothier than any mammal on Earth. - Sharks never run out of teeth.
Most sharks grow and shed teeth constantly—some replace a lost tooth in as little as 24 hours.
- Your teeth are the only part of your body that can’t heal themselves.
