Podcast Summary: WHOA That’s Good Podcast

Episode: Getting Older, But Never Boring | Korie Robertson, Mamaw Jo & Friends

Air Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Korie Robertson
Guests: Mamaw Jo, Carol Durham (Aunt Carol), Grace Burke, Aunt Barbara Shackleford

Overview

This episode radiates warmth, humor, and heartfelt wisdom as Korie Robertson sits down with her mother-in-law Mamaw Jo and a beloved circle of long-time friends—Aunt Carol, Grace Burke, and Aunt Barbara Shackleford. Together, they candidly discuss friendship, aging with purpose, living through transitions and hard seasons, and the timeless lessons they wish to pass along to younger generations. Rich with nostalgia, practical life advice, and hilarious moments, it offers an inspiring look at how to grow older joyfully—and "never boring."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductions & Family Legacies

• [02:50] Aunt Carol: 81 years old, former teacher of 39 years, proud grandmother, stays connected with family through FaceTime.
• [04:24] Mamaw Jo: Matriarch with six children, 12 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren—still growing! Worked as a real estate broker with her husband after age 55.
• [06:04] Grace Burke: Real estate agent of 53 years, renowned cake baker (“Grace cakes”), active grandmother, highly involved in family and community.
• [08:29] Aunt Barbara: 82, moved from California to Louisiana, finds deep joy in her friendships and thriving faith community.

2. Friendship, Faith, and Community

• Text Group "Coffee Ladies":
  • The ladies maintain a steady rhythm of in-person gathering, texting, and sharing life ("There are seven of us...and it's just great fun." – Mamaw Jo, [11:29]).
  • Monthly and yearly traditions keep connections alive, including lunches, bridge, and trips.
• Impact of Friend Groups:
  • Grace’s “Girls of ’64” stay close after decades, cheering each other on and sharing adventures.
  • Aunt Barbara: “Your friends are your treasures.” ([15:01])
• Loneliness Epidemic (statistics shared):
  • The group recognizes the cultural trend toward loneliness and the vital importance of real, in-person connections for well-being, especially amid a digital world ([16:15]).

3. Rapid Fire Fun—‘Life, Favorites, and Fashion’

• [17:38] Coffee Orders: Black decaf, cream and sugar—the essentials!
• [18:47] Favorite Fashion Decades:
  • The 1950s and 60s, when hats and gloves were the norm ("It's very difficult for me to wear jeans a lot, be relaxed. But I've done it lately!" – Grace Burke, [20:04])
  • Noticing how dressing up changes people’s reactions: “People are more polite and friendlier.” – Korie, [19:34]
• [20:42] Memorable Travel:
  • Australia, Greece, Italy, France, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, US National Parks, and Colorado for skiing.
• [22:11] Skincare Routine:
  • “Keep it simple!” The group mostly skips elaborate routines.
  • “If you want your face to look like a roadmap…just live to 94.” – Mama Jo ([22:37])

4. Aging Real Talk

• [23:16] Hardest Thing About Getting Older:
  • Losing eyebrows ("Mine is putting on my eyebrows because they just are nonexistent." – Mama Jo, [23:16]), hair turning gray, mobility challenges, and the necessity of being careful ("I'm not getting out of my heels, but I can watch where I walk." – Grace Burke, [24:57]).
• [27:13] Letting Things Go:
  • The group reflects on how things like cooking daily, keeping the perfect home, and “stuff” aren’t as important as they seemed when younger.
  • “Just stuff is not important anymore. What's important is family, your relationships and your faith. That’s all there is to it.” – Mama Jo ([29:41])

5. Advice to Younger Selves

• [30:16] Spiritual Intentionality:
  • “Be more intentional with my walk with Christ at 20 than I was.” – Grace Burke
  • “Pick up your Bible and read it every day.” – Grace Burke ([30:55])
• [32:54] Practical Wisdom:
  • “Take each day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” – Mama Jo
  • “Be ready to roll with the punches.” – Carol Durham
  • “Get your education and find yourself a good comfortable life.” – Aunt Barbara

6. Friendship in Hardship

• [35:56] Supporting Each Other:
  • The “Coffee Ladies” are present for each other in illness, loss, and loneliness, with daily check-ins, practical help, and unconditional belonging.
  • “We just...accept me just the way that I am. And every once in a while I get to enjoy, but they make me feel so very welcome when I do get to enjoy.” – Grace Burke ([37:51])
  • “When one of us faces something, there is probably someone in the group who can say, been there, done that, and offer advice and support.” – Carol Durham ([40:06])

7. Suffering & Resilience

• [41:00] Patience and Perspective:
  • Taking care of aging parents and sick spouses – “Taught me a lot of patience...the Lord works in so many ways.” – Aunt Barbara
  • Lifelong support from church and chosen community: “I will be forever, forever indebted and grateful...pulled me through.” – Grace Burke ([42:19])
  • On loss: “You do live through it...other things in life can take that place.” – Mamaw Jo ([46:10])
  • Singleness can be joyful: “The single life at 78 is the best.” – Grace Burke ([45:33])

8. Healthy Habits for a Good Life

• [49:56] Spiritual routines:
  • Bible reading as both a habit and comfort, especially at night/when anxious.
  • “If I didn’t have a dog to care for, I’d probably sit a lot more than I do. That little dog keeps me getting up.” – Aunt Barbara ([53:09])
• [55:32] Purposefulness:
  • “If you don’t have a purpose… you can completely consume yourself with distractions. I get up every morning and put on my makeup…anticipating whatever is going to happen. Be ready.” – Mamaw Jo
• [56:06] Eat Clean:
  • “We are what we eat. Watch what you eat.” – Grace Burke
  • But also: “Most of us are good cooks too, and we love to eat the bad stuff!” – Carol Durham

9. What Makes a Good Life? (Advice to Younger Generations)

• [56:48] Relationships & Purpose:
  • “Associate with the best people…later in life I’ve found more spirituality than in my earlier years.” – Aunt Barbara
  • “Relationships might not be forever—and that’s a plan. Learn from everyone you associate with, and cherish your ‘rocks’.” – Aunt Barbara ([58:34])
• [59:11] Top Priorities:
  • “Relationship with Jesus Christ is the utmost…the most important thing.” – Grace Burke
  • “Put other people first. The way people will think of you is when you were kind to them.” – Mamaw Jo ([60:11])
  • “Everything does not have to be perfect. There are more important things to tend to.” – Carol Durham ([62:06])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Friendship:

  • “Your friends are your treasures.” – Aunt Barbara Shackleford ([15:01])
  • “Our texting name is Coffee Ladies.” – Mamaw Jo ([10:51])

• On Faith:

  • “Pick up your Bible and read it every day. At least every day…it's all right there.” – Grace Burke ([30:55])
  • “Relationship with Jesus Christ is the utmost…He is running after everyone.” – Grace Burke ([59:11])

• On Aging & Perspective:

  • “Just stuff is not important anymore.…What's important is family, your relationships and your faith.” – Mamaw Jo ([29:41])
  • “Take each day at a time.” – Mama Jo ([32:56])
  • “You do live through it.…There are other things in life that can take that place (after loss).” – Mama Jo ([46:10])

• On Joy & Singleness:

  • “The single life at 78 is the best. I can do what I want, when I want…within the realms of Jesus and God and my church family.” – Grace Burke ([44:10])

• On Letting Go:

  • “When you're young, you think your best friend is going to be your best friend forever, and they're not.…But the close people you're with today are your rocks.” – Aunt Barbara ([58:34])

• On Selflessness:

  • “Put other people first.…Put yourself in your hip pocket and think of others.” – Mama Jo ([60:11])
  • “The more you think about yourself, the worse you’re actually off. But when you think about others, there is peace and joy in that.” – Corey ([61:07])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:50] – Guest Introductions & Life Stories
• [10:45] – Friendship & "Coffee Ladies"
• [16:14] – Loneliness Epidemic in Today’s Culture
• [17:38] – Rapid Fire: Coffee, Fashion, Movies, Travel, Skincare
• [23:16] – Hardest Thing About Aging
• [27:13] – Things That Aren’t a Big Deal Anymore
• [30:16] – Advice to Your 20-Year-Old Self
• [35:56] – How Friends Support in Hardship
• [41:00] – Lessons Learned Through Suffering
• [44:10] – Singleness; Living Well on Your Own
• [49:56] – Healthy Habits: Spiritual, Physical, Mental
• [56:48] – "What Makes a Good Life?" — Final Lessons

Tone & Atmosphere

The tone is playful, honest, faith-filled, and candid—full of laughter, affectionate teasing, and deep respect among women who value relationships, purpose, and faith above all. The wisdom imparted is gentle but rich—never preachy, always authentic.

Final Takeaway

If you’re seeking advice for a joyful, meaningful life—especially as you age—this episode is a masterclass in friendship, surrender, service, faith, and perspective. Whether it’s learning to let go of “stuff,” keeping your people close, facing the hard things with humor and hope, or simply “putting yourself in your hip pocket,” the “Coffee Ladies” demonstrate that life only gets better when you walk it together—with God, with purpose, and with an open heart.

“Put other people first…That’s the key to relationships throughout your entire life.” — Mamaw Jo ([60:11])