Wiser Than Me™ Episode Summary: Julia Gets Wise with Isabella Rossellini

Released on February 26, 2025, by Lemonada Media

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Wiser Than Me™, Julia Louis-Dreyfus welcomes the legendary Isabella Rossellini for Season 3. Isabella, an iconic actress, model, and animal behavior specialist, shares her profound insights on life, aging, and the intricate dynamics of animal behavior. Their conversation traverses Isabella’s multifaceted career, her life at Mama Farm, and her personal experiences with family and aging, offering listeners a blend of humor, wisdom, and heartfelt moments.

Isabella’s Journey: From Modeling to Animal Behavior

Isabella Rossellini opens up about her transition from a highly successful modeling career to pursuing her passion for animal behavior and conservation. Reflecting on her age, Isabella states:

“I never really think of age. I know a lot of people talk about my age. I lost my job for age, I got my job back for age. So my life is very based on age. But I never really think about it so much because I don't know what to do with it.” ([12:32])

She shares how her modeling career with Lancôme spanned 14 years, culminating in a pivotal moment when her contract was unexpectedly terminated due to ageism. However, almost a quarter-century later, Lancôme sought her back under new leadership committed to inclusivity:

“My intent is to be more inclusive, to define beauty not as a certain age, a certain race, a certain weight, but trying to really give instrument to everybody, to embellish, to play, to be creative.” ([50:36])

This reinvigoration not only rekindled her relationship with Lancôme but also reinforced her belief in embracing one’s true self beyond societal standards of beauty.

Life at Mama Farm: Balancing Sustainability and Community

Isabella provides an intimate glimpse into her life at Mama Farm in Long Island, a sanctuary dedicated to sustainability, community, and art. Managing over 150 chickens, goats, ducks, turkeys, and rare sheep breeds named after female artists, Isabella emphasizes the importance of female-led animal husbandry:

“We don't kill any animals. Plus, there is no good slaughterhouse in Long Island. And the transportation is very stressful for the animals.” ([22:40])

She discusses the ethical considerations of animal management, opting for egg production over meat and maintaining a harmonious environment for her animals. Isabella’s dedication extends to beekeeping, where she meticulously cares for her hives:

“I give them two types of food in winter... and then I stop around March when I see them coming and bringing pollen.” ([16:55])

Her approach ensures the well-being of her bees while sustaining her farm operations.

Animal Behavior Insights: Cryptic Female Choices

A highlight of the conversation delves into the fascinating concept of cryptic female choices in the animal kingdom. Isabella explains how female animals exert control over mating processes to ensure reproductive success:

“Cryptic female choices instead is what the female might do to keep control and not succumbing to a male.” ([71:39])

She illustrates this with examples from her farm:

• Chickens: Females can reject unwanted mating attempts by expelling sperm.
• Ducks: Female ducks possess labyrinthine vaginas with multiple canals, allowing them to selectively channel sperm to favor preferred mates.

Isabella’s insights shed light on the sophisticated and often overlooked strategies animals employ to maintain autonomy in reproduction.

Family Life and Personal Reflections

Isabella candidly discusses her relationships, parenting, and the profound impact of losing her parents. Reflecting on her upbringing, she says:

“The ground shifted when I lost my parents. I felt very precarious, very untethered.” ([39:12])

She emphasizes the strength derived from community and laughter, vital components in navigating life's challenges. Her bond with her 96-year-old mother continues to inspire her daily interactions:

“When George lies down at Granny's feet, it just... it really makes me weep.” ([11:40] Approx.)

Isabella highlights the importance of nurturing relationships and finding joy in simple moments, reinforcing the podcast’s theme of drawing wisdom from older generations.

Career Reinvention and Embracing Aging

Isabella shares her philosophy on aging, advocating for acceptance and self-love over societal pressures to appear youthful. She reflects on her personal growth:

“I don't like myself old, but I like myself ancient.” ([69:27])

Her role in the film Conclave exemplifies her commitment to portraying eternal youth and challenging conventional narratives surrounding aging. Isabella's makeup routine mirrors her approach to aging gracefully:

“I am putting a little orange under my eyebrows... it looks interesting. It looks a little bit punk, a little bit rebel.” ([54:54])

Her transformation from using makeup to mask aging signs to embracing it as a form of creative expression underscores her empowering perspective on growing older.

Conclusion: Embracing Community and Joy

As the conversation draws to a close, Isabella and Julia emphasize the significance of community, laughter, and continuous learning in enriching one’s life. Isabella expresses her enthusiasm for future endeavors, including her upcoming course in ornithology, and reflects on the beauty of reinventing oneself:

“I should have cultivated that voice more. I should have been a film director earlier.” ([74:35])

Their heartfelt exchange culminates in a touching moment where Julia connects with her own 90-year-old mother, embodying the show’s spirit of intergenerational wisdom and connection.

Notable Quotes

• On Aging and Serenity:

  “There is a certain amount of serenity, and with that, a kind of freedom...” ([13:46])

• On Community and Laughter:

  “Community and laughter is a very good combination.” ([77:36])

• On Reinvention:

  “Lipstick, Lipstick. I've always... choose a feature in your face that you like about yourself and make it bigger.” ([55:52])

Final Thoughts

This episode of Wiser Than Me™ with Isabella Rossellini is a treasure trove of wisdom, offering deep reflections on life transitions, ethical animal care, and the transformative power of embracing one’s true self. Isabella’s eloquent narratives and profound insights provide listeners with valuable lessons on aging gracefully, fostering community, and continuously seeking personal growth.

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform to immerse yourself in this enriching conversation.