Wise Women Are Everywhere (And Update on NEW Episodes Coming Soon)

Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Episode: Wise Women Are Everywhere (And Update on NEW Episodes Coming Soon)
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Theme:
This special episode bridges seasons and celebrates the wisdom of older women, both famous and beloved relatives, blending snippets from iconic guests with a heartfelt update about the upcoming season. Julia shares reflections, memorable guest moments, and a moving listener story about uncovering intergenerational strength. The episode is a lively, warm, and often hilarious reminder to cherish wise women in our lives and to learn from their stories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Older Women's Wisdom

• Julia reflects on the show’s evolution into a movement, not just a podcast, highlighting the importance of listening to the stories and advice of older women, whether they are public figures or family members.
  "There are wise women all around us. Some of them have been our guests, …But others are people who cross our paths every day. Our mothers, our neighbors, our teachers." (03:38)

2. Noteworthy Moments from Past Guests

• Clips feature a mix of heartfelt and comedic wisdom from prior guests:
  • Diane von Furstenberg: Reframes “aging” as “living”.
    • “I would change the word aging and say living.” (02:01)
  • Jane Goodall: Advocates for reframing age as life lived.
    • “Instead of saying, how old are you? People should say, how long have you lived?” (02:09)
  • Fran Leibowitz: Takes pride in independence and longevity.
    • "I have a car that I bought in 1978. It is the only monogamous relationship of my life." (04:09)
  • Sally Field (paraphrased by Catherine O’Hara): Examines the patterns we develop in childhood and how they may persist (and sometimes hinder) us in adulthood.
    • “The task as a grownup … is to realize what garment you have knit for yourself to survive as a child…” (04:37)
  • Gloria Steinem (paraphrased by Catherine O’Hara): Addresses memory loss with humor.
    • "I'm at an age when remembering something right away is as good as an orgasm." (05:07)

3. Listener Story: A Family Legacy of Strength

• Hex Parsons and Grandmother Kim Hatton:
  • 26-year-old Hex interviews her 74-year-old nana, uncovering a family story of activism she never realized.
  • Kim Hatton (on advice to her younger self): “Not to get married so soon.” (07:51)
  • Advice on aging: “Take care of yourself. Drink lots of water. You’re not too young to get periodic blood tests…” (08:07)
  • Family History: Susie A. Bates (Hex’s great-great-grandmother) fought a landmark equal pay case in Chicago, overcoming discrimination and inspiring future generations.
    • “She sued the city of Chicago for equal rights… She won this landmark case.” (08:43)
    • “That is very badass.” (09:18, Kim Hatton)
• Julia reflects on the discovery:
  • “It's the kind of story you might not ever have learned unless you took the time to ask.” (09:20)
  • “Those who came before us had to fight tooth and nail to survive. And they did it because someone had to.” (09:54)

4. Wisdom About Hope & Action

• Jane Goodall: Passionately describes hope as an active endeavor, not passive wishing.
  • "Hope is about action... humanity is at the mouth of a very, very long, dark tunnel. Right at the end, it's a little star. That's hope." (12:35)
  • "It's no good sitting at the mouth of the tunnel and wishing the star. Here. We've got to roll up our sleeves and climb over, crawl under, work our way around all the problems between us and the star…” (12:49)
• Dolores Huerta: Emphasizes individual responsibility to create change.
  • "If I don't do it, then it's not going to happen. My mother used to say that to us growing up, if you can help someone, if you have the ability, then you have an obligation and responsibility to do that.” (13:40)

5. Funny and Touching Mother-Daughter Banter

• Julia and her mother Judith share a humorous exchange about feeling like a "fraud" versus a "frog", reminding listeners of the importance of laughter and familial warmth.
  • “Have you had that experience, mom, feeling that way, like, as a writer?” (15:09)
  • Judith: "Why did you use the word frog?" (15:10)
  • Julia: "First of all, I didn't say frog. I said fraud." (15:12)
  • This devolves into a playful “ribbit ribbit” moment, bringing levity and reminding us of the joy in intergenerational bonds.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Reflections on Aging and Living

• “I would change the word aging and say living.” — Diane von Furstenberg (02:01)
• “How long have you lived?” — Jane Goodall (02:09)

Humor About Getting Older

• “I'm at an age when remembering something right away is as good as an orgasm.” — Gloria Steinem (paraphrased, 05:07)
• “No hair on my legs. I'm looking forward to turning 100…” — Julia Louis-Dreyfus (03:20)

Intergenerational Wisdom

• “Take care of yourself. Drink lots of water. You’re not too young to get periodic blood tests…” — Kim Hatton (08:07)
• “She sued the city of Chicago for equal rights... and she won this landmark case.” — Hex Parsons (08:43)

On Hope and Change

• “Hope is about action. …We've got to roll up our sleeves and climb over, crawl under, work our way around all the problems between us and the star…” — Jane Goodall (12:35)
• “If I don't do it, then it's not going to happen. …If you can help someone, if you have the ability, then you have an obligation and responsibility to do that.” — Dolores Huerta (13:40)

Funniest Moment

• “She had a story to write, and she felt like she couldn't because she was a frog.” — Julia Louis-Dreyfus (15:51)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:44] — Introduction & preview of new season
• [02:02] — Diane von Furstenberg on "living" not "aging"
• [02:19] — Jane Goodall on reframing age questions
• [03:16-03:36] — Lighter takes: perks of aging (half-price cards, no leg hair)
• [04:09] — Fran Leibowitz on loving her car and independence
• [04:35] — Sally Field (via Catherine O’Hara) on emotional patterns from childhood
• [05:07] — Gloria Steinem joke about memory
• [07:17] — Listener segment: Hex Parsons and Kim Hatton conversation
• [08:43] — Discovery of family’s equal pay legal fight
• [12:35] — Jane Goodall's wisdom on hope & action
• [13:40] — Dolores Huerta’s call for personal responsibility
• [15:09] — Julia and her mother joke about "frog"/"fraud"
• [16:21] — Upcoming season announcement & Substack newsletter plug

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Final Thoughts

Witty, wise, and soul-nourishing, this episode encapsulates the spirit of Wiser Than Me: celebrating the overlooked power and humor in women’s lived experience. With a blend of iconic voices and everyday heroines, Julia inspires listeners to reach out, connect, and glean insights from the women who came before us—and to approach life, aging, and comedy with open arms.

Closing advice:
“If there’s an old lady in your life, listen up.”

Transcript

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

There's nothing like things getting done without you even asking. Like someone saving you a seat or a coworker tackling a dreaded task. Everyday moments like this are what help life run a little smoother and remind us we're not alone. Staying connected matters. That's why AT&T has connectivity you can depend on. Or they'll proactively make it right. That's the AT&T guarantee. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details.

[Hex Parsons]

Lemonada.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

You talked about when you were doing sctv. So you are one of two women in the cast, right?

[Catherine O'Hara]

Uh oh, I know where you're going, lady.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Yes. So tell me.

[Catherine O'Hara]

That's what's wrong with aging.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

You start seeing things a little too clearly. Hi there, listeners. It's Julia Louis Dreyfus. That was from one of our favorite episodes from last season of Wiser Than Me with Catherine o'. Hara. We are back in production on a new season of this very podcast, and I simply can't wait to bring you brand new episodes starting November 12th. You know, I've been thinking a lot about something that we say at the end of every episode, if there's an old lady in your life, listen up. And honestly, that couldn't be more true. You learn something every time. Like we did with the unforgettable Diane von Furstenberg. Let's talk about aging and body changes and how to embrace all of that. Okay, first of all, the war. Aging. I would change the word aging and say living.

[Jane Goodall]

Right?

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Oh, thank you. That's perfect. Perfect. Age is life. Yes. So instead of saying, how old are you? People should say, how long have you lived? And author Isabel Allende, who taught us a few other things.

[Catherine O'Hara]

I enjoy sex with marijuana especially.

[Jane Goodall]

Ah.

[Catherine O'Hara]

So I get these blueberries that have marijuana, and I take my blueberry. It's much better than without it.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

But wait a minute, just to be clear, because I'm going to go get myself some of those blueberries.

[Catherine O'Hara]

I can send you some.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Yeah, send me some. That really is our show in a nutshell. There are wise women all around us. Some of them have been our guests, you know, activists and artists and authors and scientists. But others are people who cross our paths every day. Our mothers, our neighbors, our teachers. So before we jump back to our regular programming next month with a whole new lineup of wise and absolutely wonderful guests, we wanted to share something a little different. Some of our listeners had a few snippets of wisdom about the benefits of aging.

[Catherine O'Hara]

Half price Metro Card.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

All right, I'll say it. No hair on my legs. I'm looking forward to turning 100, not just 90.

[Fran Leibowitz]

I'm not gonna be cheap with it. I want to be 100, 100, 101, 102.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

As long as I can possibly stay here.

[Catherine O'Hara]

If someone is not using my time in a way that seems beneficial to me, I just walk them over an open manhole and have them think it's their idea.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

You know, one thing I'm really proud about with Wiser Than Me is how it's kind of evolved from a show into a full on movement, a call to pay attention to the wise old ladies in our lives who have seen it all. Take Fran Leibowitz, for example. What do you mean, your terrible girlfriend?

[Fran Leibowitz]

Let me put it to you this way. I have a car that I bought in 1978. It is the only monogamous relationship of my life. That is because I love the car and because I'm never bored by the car. And I have a picture of my car in my refrigerator where other people would have a human. I don't want to live with anyone. I've lived by myself since I was like 19 years old. And that is an incredible achievement for a lesbian, let me assure you.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Or Sally Field.

[Catherine O'Hara]

The task as a grownup.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Yes.

[Catherine O'Hara]

Is to realize what garment you have knit for yourself to survive as a child, the winter of your childhood. But when you're in the summer, so to speak, of your adulthood and you can't figure out, why am I so fucking hot all the time? And it's because you can't take off this garment, this pattern of behavior from.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Childhood is no longer serving you or Gloria Steinem. As you've gotten older, has your thinking ability changed?

[Catherine O'Hara]

I have noticed changes which has caused me to, for instance, consider manufacturing a T shirt that says, I'm at an age when remembering something right away is as good as an orgasm.

[Jane Goodall]

I think.

[Catherine O'Hara]

I think this would sell.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Oh, it would definitely sell. I think it would sell. Okay, so after the break, we're going to hear from a listener who set out to tell us about her grandmother and discovered something that gave her a whole new understanding of where she comes from. Whether you're calling the wise women in your life video, calling your girlfriends across the country, or checking in on someone who always knows how to make you smile, staying connected matters. Those small conversations, shared laughs, and quick hellos are what keep relationships strong, even when life gets busy. Some of the most life giving conversations start with just a phone call. That's why AT&T guarantees a network you can rely on so you can focus on the moments and people that matter Most. That's the AT&T guarantee. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details. Hey prime members, did you know you can listen to Wiser Than Me ad free on Amazon Music? Download the Amazon Music app today to start listening ad free. So a few weeks ago we asked listeners to introduce us to the wise women in their lives. And we heard so many fantastic stories and I really wish we could share every single one of them. But today we want you to meet Hex Parsons and her 74 year old grandmother, Kim Hatton, straight from Chicago, Illinois.

[Hex Parsons]

Can you see me?

[Kim Hatton]

I can hear you, but I can't see you.

[Hex Parsons]

Are you supposed to see me? Yeah.

[Kim Hatton]

Let's see that pretty face, girl.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Nana Kim is an artist, a collector, a style maven, a jack of all trades, and her granddaughter hex is a 26 year old performer and the co founder of an art gallery. So when we put out a call for listeners to ask some of our wiser than me questions to the older women in their lives, Hex did exactly that. She turned the tables. And she asked her nana the same ones I usually actually ask our guests.

[Kim Hatton]

Something you'd go back and tell yourself.

[Hex Parsons]

At 21 not to get married so soon.

[Kim Hatton]

And you're always pressuring me to get married, girl, I ain't doing.

[Hex Parsons]

Yeah, but you're old now. You're 26.

[Kim Hatton]

All right, what is something you want me to know about aging?

[Hex Parsons]

Take care of yourself. Drink lots of water. You're not too young to get periodic blood tests to stay ahead of what could be lurking.

[Kim Hatton]

What is something that you learned from your own mentors, your mothers, your elders that you pass down to me and your other grandchildren?

[Hex Parsons]

Well, that would have been your great great grandmother who I think you, you weren't alive. But Gigi, she worked these one horrible job, but she stuck with it for years and years and years.

[Kim Hatton]

What was her horrible job? What did she do?

[Hex Parsons]

She was a janitress, Susie A. Bates. She sued the city of Chicago for equal rights under the equal pay. The men were called custodians, the women were janitarists. And they made, I don't know, triple the salary. And the women were doing the same work as the men. And she won this landmark case.

[Kim Hatton]

That's crazy. I didn't even know that. What year Was this?

[Hex Parsons]

Probably 1971. Like when your mom was born or something.

[Kim Hatton]

That is very badass.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Totally badass. And listen, Hex didn't even know about this part of her history yet. It's the kind of story you might not ever have learned unless you took the time to ask. Hex's great great grandmother, Susie Bates, spent 21 years doing the same work as male janitors in Chicago. City hall was paid $1,000 less each year. And this was back in the 70s when $1,000 was just like, you know, a shitload of dough. You know what I mean? And she was denied equal pensions and promotions. It is the same fight women are still fighting today. But Susie didn't back down. She filed sex discrimination charges. She rallied the union and labor leaders and she stood up for working women everywhere, changing the rules for every woman who after her. So, you know, it's a reminder that those who came before us had to fight tooth and nail to survive. And they did it because someone had to. And I find that so hopeful, and I really need some of that these days. Stick around after this because that's exactly what we're getting more of right after this break. As we wind down. Now is a great time to reach out to someone that's been on your mind. Because those little check ins, they're the moments that matter. It's the I saw this and thought of you text or the impromptu call to a friend when you're running errands or walking your dog. Those small I see you moments that tie us together. Sometimes the smallest check in can become the biggest highlight of someone's day. So this week, don't just think about your people. Reach out to them. Send that text. Make that call. Because community isn't just something we have. It's something we make. And AT and T is here to keep you connected. For all of it, staying connected matters. That's why in the rare event of a network outage, AT&T will proactively credit you for a full day of service. That's the AT&T guarantee credit for fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more or for wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by single incident impacting 10 or more towers must be connected to impacted tower at onset of outage. Restrictions and exclusions apply. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.com guarantee for details. Okay, so here are two of my favorite, most hopeful moments from the last season of Wiser Than Me. The first is from our dearly beloved Jane Goodall. I was just so undone by her recent passing, but I am very grateful that I got to talk with her and that you all got to meet her because that lady was the real deal. Here's Jane talking about hope.

[Jane Goodall]

I think people think it's wishful thinking. And actually, hope is about action. Yeah. And a way I love to describe it is that humanity is at the mouth of a very, very long, dark tunnel. Right at the end, it's a little star. That's hope. But it's no good sitting at the mouth of the tunnel and wishing the star. Here. We've got to roll up our sleeves and climb over, crawl under, work our way around all the problems between us and the star, like climate change, loss of biodiversity, poverty, industrial farming that's destroying the soil and torturing billions of animals and destroying huge areas of the environment and wasting water. Good news, there are people, groups of people tackling every one of those problems.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Yes, hope is about action. Those words have been ringing in my head ever since we got the sad news that Jane had passed. And it's a sentiment that was echoed by Dolores Huerta as well.

[Catherine O'Hara]

In my thinking, it's, if I don't do it, then it's not going to happen. My mother used to say that to us growing up, if you can help someone, if you have the ability, then you have an obligation and responsibility to do that.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Like my dad used to say, get up off your dead one and get going. Make it happen. Actually, I really don't think that expression makes sense, but whatever. I'm very excited to keep having conversations with more extraordinary women on our new season of Wiser Than Me. We'll talk with photographer Annie Leibovitz, New Yorker cartoonist Raz Chast, and we're gonna kick things off with SNL leg Jane Curtin now, because we know it's your favorite part of the show, let's close with a moment that I so love from Wiser Than Me history. This is me and my mom, Judy, right after I spoke with Supreme Court reporter Nina Totenberg. She was talking about. Up until she was really. I think she said into her 50s, Nina Totenberg. Very often when she got. When she started to write a story, she felt sort of like a fraud, like she was playing at the role of journalists as opposed to being a journalist. Have you had that experience, mom, feeling that way, like, as a writer?

[Catherine O'Hara]

But first of all, I want to say, why did you use the word frog?

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Well, first of all, I didn't say frog. I said fraud. I said frog.

[Catherine O'Hara]

Okay, okay. Well, that's. That's so.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

That's.

[Catherine O'Hara]

That's wonderful. All right, well, we'll We'll. We'll just move on from that.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Ribbit. Ribbit.

[Jane Goodall]

All right.

[Catherine O'Hara]

There's no way.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

There is no way that that isn't the funniest thing I've heard in, like, a week.

[Catherine O'Hara]

Wait, wait.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Brad has come in here and ruining the PODC because he heard it, too, and now he's lying on the floor in the hallway in clutching his stomach. Yes, she was. She had a story to write, and she felt like she couldn't because she was a frog.

[Catherine O'Hara]

Well, then she was right to not write it because.

[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]

Oh, that is hilarious. Mom. Wiser Than Me is back with all new episodes starting November 12th from Lemonada Media. Plus, we're releasing a Wiser Than Me newsletter on Substack that same day. That gives you a chance to listen to more of the wise women in your communities. Who knows what you're going to hear this time around? Go to wiserthanme.substack.com and be sure to leave us your email address so you don't miss a thing. See you soon. And remember, if there's an old lady in your life, listen up.