The Dr. Laura Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Dealing with Aging
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Overview

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Dr. Laura shares her candid reflections on confronting the realities of aging, particularly as a woman. Drawing from a personal moment in her morning routine, she unpacks the anxieties, societal expectations, and ultimately the acceptance that comes with growing older. The atmosphere is both uplifting and disarmingly honest, delivering advice and encouragement to listeners—especially women—navigating their own feelings about aging.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Morning Mirror Revelation

• Dr. Laura recalls getting ready for a video shoot and reluctantly confronting her reflection up close.
• She jokes about only approaching the mirror from three feet away from now on, humorously noting, “It’s a little hard to put on eye makeup at three feet from the mirror, but…” — Dr. Laura (02:22).
• This spurs a self-dialogue between “Laura and Dr. Laura,” evaluating her emotional response to visible signs of aging.

Aging—A Gendered Experience

• Dr. Laura observes the cultural double standards between men and women in aging:
  • “Men, as they get gritty and stuff, we see them as sexier. … Even movie stars—when they were young, they were really pretty, but when they got older, they got more manly looking.” — Dr. Laura (03:20).
• She notes that women tend to feel more pressured by physical changes, while men are often viewed as more attractive as they age.

Acceptance Replaces the Fight

• Initially, Dr. Laura admits to wrestling with aging, but now embraces a more practical, accepting attitude:
  • Considers her priorities: family, work, health, friendships, and embracing new challenges.
  • “Are you upset? … Actually, not anymore. There are too many important things going on in my life … and this is how I look. I don’t care.” — Dr. Laura (04:01)
• Acknowledges she’s shifted from vanity to self-care:
  • “Vanity has gone—well, I brush my teeth. So not totally not vain, but vanity is just gone.” — Dr. Laura (04:36)

Evolving Self-Image and Priorities

• Dr. Laura shares her new beauty routine: minimal makeup focused on what matters (“mascara and a little stuff on the eyebrows and then cheeks and lipstick and the rest of it, I don’t care. I really don’t care anymore.” — Dr. Laura (05:11))
• She’s chosen comfort over style, cleaning up for herself rather than public opinion.

The Gift of Aging: Peace

• Contrasts her younger years (“you’re fighting life. You’re fighting not getting the things done you want done…you fight the aging, you fight the aches and pains, you fight it.” — Dr. Laura (04:55)) with her present-day serenity.
• Emphasizes the calm that comes with acceptance:
  • “One of many really good things about getting older is that you stop fighting it. You start accepting it and it makes you more peaceful.” — Dr. Laura (05:06)

Advice to Listeners—Especially Women

• Encourages listeners to relinquish worries over their appearance:
  • “Nobody’s going to like you or me more or less based on our skin condition.” — Dr. Laura (06:39)
• Cherishes friends who are still trying cosmetic enhancements, but places greater value on relationships, purpose, and health:
  • “As long as I have my work, my friends, my family, Lily bug, my health, ways to be productive… I’d rather do that than worry about my skin on my face.” — Dr. Laura (09:16)

The “Three-Foot” Rule

• Concludes her monologue with the resolution to always stand three feet from the mirror, poking fun at herself:
  • “I look good now. Damn, I look good. Especially before my eye drops.” — Dr. Laura (09:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 02:22 | “It’s a little hard to put on eye makeup at three feet from the mirror, but…” | Dr. Laura | | 03:20 | “Men, as they get gritty and stuff, we see them as sexier.” | Dr. Laura | | 04:01 | “Are you upset? … Actually, not anymore. There are too many important things going on in my life … and this is how I look. I don’t care.” | Dr. Laura | | 04:55 | “When you’re younger, you’re fighting life. … You fight the aging, you fight the aches and pains, you fight it.” | Dr. Laura | | 05:06 | “One of many really good things about getting older is that you stop fighting it. … It makes you more peaceful.” | Dr. Laura | | 06:39 | “Nobody’s going to like you or me more or less based on our skin condition.” | Dr. Laura | | 09:16 | “As long as I have my work, my friends, my family, Lily bug, my health, ways to be productive… I’d rather do that than worry about my skin on my face.” | Dr. Laura | | 09:35 | “I look good now. Damn, I look good. Especially before my eye drops.” | Dr. Laura |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 02:22: Dr. Laura sets the stage with a humorous take on confronting her own aging in the mirror.
• 02:22 – 04:36: Discusses aging, vanity, and gender perceptions.
• 04:36 – 06:39: Shifts toward acceptance and self-care, offers personal insights.
• 09:02 – 09:35: Wraps up with practical advice, emphasizing purpose and relationships over appearance.

Closing Thoughts

This episode encapsulates Dr. Laura’s blend of sharp wit and heartfelt wisdom. Her message—embracing the peace that comes with age and letting go of vanity—is empowering, funny, and deeply reassuring, offering listeners a refreshing paradigm for navigating their own journeys with aging.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for honesty, humor, and comfort about the realities of growing older.