Exploring Aging

Dr. Bill Pierce and Susan Pierce reflect on decades of service with Baptist Village Communities and the transition from senior leadership into a new season of serving. They share how senior living has shifted toward lifestyle and mutual ministry, why older adults remain vital contributors, and how calling can continue beyond a job title or role.

Chapters

00:00 A new season doesn’t end a life of service
02:54 From church ministry to Baptist Village Communities
07:48 Senior living moves from care toward lifestyle
09:48 Residents become ministry partners
13:50 Seeing God’s hand through financial and...

What does it really mean to remain independent as we age? In this episode, we explore how independence can change over time and how the right support can actually help preserve it. The conversation covers everyday signs that additional help may be needed, Activities of Daily Living, services that support aging in place, and the role technology can play in helping older adults remain active and engaged. The episode also looks at the importance of planning ahead, including conversations about healthcare, finances, legal documents, and who will help make important decisions when needed. Most importantly, listeners are encouraged to t...

Discover the remarkable story of Roger Whitaker, a lifelong technology innovator, devoted Christian, and dedicated family man. Join us as we explore his journey from small-town Oklahoma to shaping major technological advancements at American Airlines and beyond, all underpinned by faith and community service.

Main Topics

Join us as we explore the remarkable life of Morris Neighbors, a centenarian who has witnessed a century of American history, from the Great Depression to the internet age. His stories of service, faith, family, and resilience offer timeless lessons on living a meaningful life.

key topics

What does it mean to be a disciple? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? What is the Great Commission, and why was it the last challenge Jesus gave his disciples? What are the keys to making disciples? Did you know that while the word disciple is in the Bible, the word discipleship never occurs? If you are interested in knowing what it means to be a deeply devoted follower of Jesus, then you are going to love our discussion on this edition of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST.

Chapters
00:00 What Does It Mean t...

 The American population is aging. More and more adults need to consider what their future looks like as they grow older day by day. It can be overwhelming! You might be asking yourself: Can I afford the rising costs for senior adult care, residential living, and assisted living? How long will I be able to live at home? Who can I trust? Is there really any difference among the organizations that want my business? If these questions have piqued your interest, then you are going to love hearing from our special guest from the BAPTIST VILLAGE COMMUNITIES on this e...

What makes you laugh? Have you ever stopped to think about what makes something funny?
When you think of someone who makes you laugh, who comes to mind? The bible says, “A cheerful heart does good like medicine.” How cheerful are you? On this edition of Exploring Aging Podcast, hosts Ray Sanders, Dr. Bill Pierce, and Greg McNeece interview Dr. Anthony L. Jordan, the former Executive Director of Oklahoma Baptists, as he shares stories from the lighter side of his life and ministry.

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Laughter
04:14 Benefits of Laughter
08:56 Introducing Dr. Anth...

Did you know 19% of the world’s population suffers from hearing loss, and hearing loss can directly affect your likelihood of developing dementia? By 2050, 2.5 billion people will have hearing loss. Are you unknowingly doing things to damage your hearing? Are you taking precautions to safeguard your hearing? 

On this edition of Exploring Aging, our hosts Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders interview Darcy Stowe, CEO of Hearts for Hearing, a comprehensive hearing health clinic for adults and children, who shares best practices for managing hearing loss and improving our ability to hear at the highest level.

In this episode of the Exploring Aging podcast, our hosts, Dr. Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders, visit two remarkable residents of Baptist Village Communities who share a lifetime of faith, courage, and global mission work across multiple African countries. Now in their 90s, Helen Day and Ginny Cannata reflect on unforgettable moments from the mission field, including years teaching high school abroad and an extraordinary story of being married to a doctor missionary, having children overseas, and even being arrested and accused of serving as a CIA agent.

This isn’t just a look back, it...

In this powerful continuation of our Food as Medicine series, we sit down again with Erin Martin, a gerontology expert and the founder of FreshRX Oklahoma, to explore how access to nutrient-dense food can dramatically improve health outcomes—especially for older adults living with chronic disease.

Erin shares the origins of FreshRX Oklahoma, a prescription produce program that partners with local farmers to provide free, high-quality fruits and vegetables to Oklahomans living with type 2 diabetes. What began as a small pilot in North Tulsa has grown into a nationally recognized model showing measurable improvements in...

In this episode of the Exploring Aging podcast, the hosts discuss the alarming statistics surrounding prescription drug use in the U.S. and the potential health crisis it indicates. They explore the concept of food as medicine, emphasizing the importance of nutrition in promoting longevity and reducing healthcare costs. Guest Erin Martin, a gerontologist, shares insights on the quality of food, the significance of community in healthy aging, and practical steps individuals can take to improve their diets. The conversation also touches on the concept of Blue Zones, areas where people live significantly longer, and the role of regenerative...

According to the Federal Trade Commission $2.6 million consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023. Have you ever been scammed? Are you prepared to fight against the criminals that are seeking to steal your hard-earned money? Emory Thomas, a retired financial planner & advisor, with decades of experience, shares how to avoid fraud and financial scams on this edition of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, with your hosts Ray Sanders, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece.

00:00:00: Introduction to the podcast and the topic of fraud

00:00:31: Guest introduction: Emory Thomas, retired financial planner

00:00:57: Highlights from...

It has been said that there is a church on every corner in Oklahoma. How are these churches different and the same? On this edition of The Exploring Aging Podcast, hosts Dr. Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders take a deeper look at a dynamic and thriving Oklahoma City church full of older adults who are changing the world in their sixties, seventies, eighties, and beyond!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Church at the Village
03:01 Unique Aspects of the Church
05:52 The Community and Its Members
08:32 The Church's Mission and Philosophy
11:42 Worship Experience...

Gain insightful tips for a better way of life.

What are the benefits of taking time to care for your well-being? Would you live longer? Would your quality of life improve? What is self-care? Is it selfish and self-centered, or is it the key to ongoing independence? Why is self-care important for aging adults? From physical health to emotional balance, hosts Dr. Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders dive into practical ideas to help you live not just longer—but better—on this edition of The Exploring Aging Podcast.

Timestamps
00:00:00 - Introduction to Self...

Discover how poverty is impacting aging adults today.

Poverty is a disturbing word. No one wants to live in poverty, yet nearly 700 million people—8.5 percent of the global population—live in “extreme” poverty, defined as surviving on less than $2.15 per day. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 11.6% of Americans—roughly 38 million people—live at or below the poverty level. What responsibility do we have to help meet the needs of those in poverty? On this edition of The Exploring Aging Podcast, hosts Dr. Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders take a hard look at the state of pov...

Have you given any thought to how long you will live? Will you live into your 80’s or 90’s? Will you be one of the few people who live more than 100 years? How many of those years will be healthy years of life? Most of us are aware of the term lifespan. Have you ever considered your healthspan? Lifespan is the total number of years we live. Health span is how many of those years are healthy and free from disease. Unfortunately, many will spend 20% of their lives unhealthy. Hosts Dr. Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders get hone...

Did you know we lose our sense of thirst and hunger as we age? Were you aware that changes in our sense of smell and taste can affect our appetites and food preferences? Are vitamins and supplements really needed as we age? Why is protein so important for seniors? On this episode of The Exploring Aging Podcast, hosts Dr. Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders take a closer look at our dietary needs as we grow older. Special guest Holly Stephens, a dietitian responsible for serving nutritious meals to more than hundreds of older adults every day, joins...

What do Christians mean when they use terms like, born again, saved or “Ask Jesus to come into your heart?” So long as you have been a good person and tried your best, why should you be concerned about life after death? On this episode of The Exploring Aging Podcast, hosts Dr. Bill Pierce, Greg McNeece, and Ray Sanders unpack the Plan of Salvation and why more and more aging adults are giving greater thought to life after death.

00:00 Introduction to the Exploring Aging Podcast

00:59 Meet the Hosts and New Studio

01:47 Unpacking Salvation and...

We live in an ever-changing world. Things are changing whether we like it or not. What if you could have a heads up on what is coming down the path? What if you could be more aware of the changes that are about to take place? On this edition of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, hosts Ray Sanders, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece take a closer look at what they believe are the Top 5 Trends Among Aging Adults.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Change in an Evolving World
09:25 Understanding Aging Services and Trends
19:21 The Impact of...

It has been said that there is never a better time than the present to get things done. Why do it today when you could do it tomorrow?

As the old saying goes, you can pay me now or you can pay me later. What have you been putting off? On this episode of the THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, hosts Ray Sanders, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeese explore Tips for Getting Active and Getting Things Done!

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Taking Action
05:08 Getting Active: Tips and Trends
13:44 The Role...

Medicare prescription drug expenditures are expected to nearly triple over the next 15 years. What is the difference between a traditional pharmacy and a  long-term care at home pharmacy? On this edition of Exploring Aging Podcast hosts Ray Sanders, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece quiz Jim Huff, a pharmacist with more than 30 years of experience in the medical field, on how long-term care at home pharmacies provide options for meeting medical needs of aging adults. Jim also shares why he believes long-term care has a clear scriptural mandate.

Chapters
00:00:00: Exploring the rise in Medicare prescription drug e...

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts that 70% of individuals who reach age 65 will need long-term care services before they die. Long-term care at home services is for patients living in their homes who might otherwise be in an aging services community. Long-term care at home services represents a shifting population of patients preferring to remain in their homes while receiving the same care they would receive living in a long-term care community. Pharmacist Jim Huff joins THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST as a special guest to discuss how to take advantage of all the long-term care...

According to the Federal Trade Commission $2.6 million consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023. Have you ever been scammed? Are you prepared to fight against the criminals that are seeking to steal your hard-earned money? Emory Thomas, a retired financial planner & advisor, with decades of experience, shares how to avoid fraud and financial scams on this edition of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, with your hosts Ray Sanders, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece.

00:00:00: Introduction to the podcast and the topic of fraud

00:00:31: Guest introduction: Emory Thomas, retired financial planner

00:00:57: Highlights from...

In just two decades, more than 84 trillion dollars will move from older Americans to GenX and Millennials. What does the future hold? How will the financial markets be impacted? On this edition of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, Ray Sanders, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece discuss what to expect with Emory Thomas, a retired financial planner and advisor, with decades of experience, as he shares valuable insights on THE GREAT WEALTH TRANSFER.

00:00:00: Introduction to the episode

00:00:36: The great wealth transfer

00:01:10: Introducing the hosts and today's topic

00:02:22: Emory Thomas's background and expertise<...

If you are older than 60 and could ask a doctor anything about aging, what would you ask? What if he told you the top five mistakes he believes adults are making that hinder or hurt their health? Would you listen in? In part two of this series of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, Ray Sanders and his Co-hosts Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece discover more helpful insights from retired geriatrician, Dr. Frank Davis as he discusses important realities faces aging adults.

00:00:00: Introduction

00:00:30: Importance of Seeking Health Advice

00:00:50: Introduction of Host and Guests

If you are somewhere around 60 years old and you have a medical issue, what type of doctor will you reach out to? In part one of this series of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, Ray Sanders and his Co-hosts Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece speak with retired geriatrician, Dr. Frank Davis, about his decades of experience serving aging adults. Listeners will discover innovations in geriatric medicine as well as insightful and practical advice specifically helpful for aging adults.

00:00:00: Introduction and Overview

00:01:02: Characteristics and Responsibilities of a Geriatrician

00:03:13: Transition from Family Practice to Geriatric...

In part two of this series of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, Ray Sanders and his Co-hosts Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece dig in deeper with two special guests who unpack the challenges families face as they seek to meet the growing needs of older parents desiring to age in place. Practical insights and services are discussed to help overcome the financial, emotional and physical challenges required to meet the needs of older parents served by the Sandwich Generation.

00:00:00: Introduction to the podcast

00:00:14: Challenges faced by the sandwich generation

00:01:01: Definition of sandwich...

As the population ages, more and more people have a strong desire to age in place without moving away from the homes they have lived in for years. As a result, the so called Sandwiched Generation is being challenged to not only care for their aging parents but for their children as well. On this two part series, of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST, two special guests provide insights and perspectives on how they have personally navigated the financial, emotional and physical challenges required to meet the needs of older parents and growing families.

00:00:00: Introduction to the...

The number of Americans over age 85 is increasing faster than any other age group. If you have found yourself caring for your children and your elderly parents you are part of the “Sandwich Generation.” On this edition of THE EXPLORING AGING PODCAST Ray Sanders and his Co-hosts Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece take a look at the rapidly changing family dynamics faced by today’s “Sandwich Generation”.

00:05: Introduction to the sandwich generation

00:58: Challenges faced by the sandwich generation

01:09: Understanding the sandwich generation

02:08: Misconceptions about the sandwich generation

03:05: Modern family dyn...

According to the National Council on Aging, 95% of adults 60 and older have at least one chronic health condition. On this edition of the Exploring Aging Podcast, Host Ray Sanders and his Co-hosts Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece discuss 10 common chronic conditions for adults 65 plus and what can be done to face these challenges head on.

00:00:00: Introduction

00:00:17: Common Chronic Conditions in Adults Over

00:00:34: Aim of the Episode

00:00:59: Introduction of Co-hosts

00:01:13: Topic of Myths Related to Aging

00:01:42: Analysis of Myths

00:01:58: Revisiting Previous Myths

00:04:36: Chronic...

As we age, is retirement a requirement? How long can we remain a viable contributor to the workplace? Does aging mean we are no longer productive?  Does getting older mean we are destined for sickness and disability? On this episode of the Exploring Aging Podcast, Host Ray Sanders and Co-hosts, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece, bust several myths about aging and share why they believe experience never gets old.

Is it possible to be a lifelong learner? Is forgetfulness a sure sign of dementia? Do cognitive and physical development have to end as we age? Is everyone destined to have some form of memory disorder? Join us for part 1 of a myth-busting series on the Exploring Aging Podcast, as Host Ray Sanders and Co-hosts Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece unpack myths associated with the aging process. 

The Baby Boomer generation is aging and putting an incredible impact on social demographics. On this edition of the Exploring Aging Podcast, Host Ray Sanders and Co-hosts Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece discuss how The Bill and Susan Pierce Institute for Transforming Life Expectancies is working to change how older adults are perceived in society.

On this edition of the Exploring Aging Podcast Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece join host, Ray Sanders, and discuss how the biggest demographic transformation in US history is impacting aging services and how Baptist Village Communities is responding to the growing need through Enhanced Life Neighborhoods and Entrusted Hearts home care services.

It's important for older adults to know what aging services are available to them and what quality of life they can expect as they age. On this edition of the Exploring Aging Podcast, Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece, pioneers and innovators in aging services, sit down with host, Ray Sanders, to  provide an overview of the many services available through the agencies they lead. 

Join Dr. Bill Pierce and Greg McNeece, pioneers and innovators in aging services, along with host, Ray Sanders, as they discuss the Age Wave and Ageism...what are they and how do these issues impact society and our culture?