S2 EP 10 – Returning to the Mic

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Lourdes discusses why voting matters in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections and how government decisions can affect older adults and their families. She shares research on Americans' concerns about the country's future, addresses immigration enforcement and its impact on communities, and explains why staying informed and participating in elections matters.RESOURCESVOTING INFORMATION | ALL STATESVote.govRegister to vote, update your registration, and find official election information for your state.https://vote.gov/Can I Vote? | National Association of Secretaries of StateCheck voter registration, find polling places, and learn about voting options in your state.https://www.nass.org/can-I-voteVOTE411 | Voter InformationFind information about candidates, what's on your ballot, and where to vote.https://www.vote411.org/CALIFORNIA VOTING RESOURCESMy Voter StatusCheck your voter registration and mail ballot status.https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/Register to VoteRegister or update your voter information.https://registertovote.ca.gov/Where and How to VoteInformation about voting by mail, drop boxes, and in-person voting.https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/where-and-howFind Your Polling PlaceFind voting locations and local election information.https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-placeEarly Voting and Ballot Drop-Off LocationsFind early voting sites and ballot drop boxes.https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/Where's My Ballot?Track your mail ballot through text, email, or voice notifications.https://wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov/California Secretary of State Voter Hotline:800-345-VOTE (800-345-8683)VOTER ASSISTANCE AND ACCESSIBILITYElection ProtectionNonpartisan assistance with voting questions or problems at the polls.https://866ourvote.org/Voting Hotline: 866-687-8683Spanish/English Hotline: 888-839-8682Voting With a Disability | Vote.govInformation about voting rights, accessibility, and available assistance.https://vote.gov/guide-to-voting/disabilityNational Disability Rights Network | Right to HelpInformation about getting assistance when voting.https://www.ndrn.org/resource/right-to-help-a-guide-to-getting-help-with-voting/RESEARCH AND STATISTICS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEAmerican Psychological Association | Stress in America 2026Research about Americans' concerns, stress, uncertainty, and civic involvement.https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-america/2026ABC News | Federal Immigration Agents Have Shot at Least 21 People During Trump's Second TermInvestigation published September 24, 2026.https://abcnews.com/Politics/federal-immigration-agents-shot-21-people-trumps-2nd/story?id=136692795Pew Research Center | Latinos' Experiences With Immigration EnforcementResearch published November 24, 2025, about immigration enforcement concerns and their effects on daily life.https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2025/11/24/latinos-experiences-with-immigration-enforcement-in-the-second-trump-administration/LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 17, Lourdes talks about what it can be like to care for aging parents while also getting older yourself.She discusses how caregiving can affect your time, energy, emotions, relationships, and the way you think about your own future.RESOURCESPew Research Center, Family Caregiving in an Aging America, February 26, 2026, Pew Research Center: Family Caregiving in an Aging AmericaLET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 16, Lourdes talks about what it can feel like when you keep trying to speak and people stop listening, brush you off, or make you feel that what you have to say does not matter.She looks at how repeated dismissal can lead you to hold things back, question yourself, or decide it is easier to stay quiet.RESOURCESSCIENTIFIC REPORTSAgeism in a health-related context: the physiological, psychological, and behavioral impacts of subtle age discrimination on older adultsNg et al. (2025), https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07489-2Communications PsychologyHigh-quality listening behaviors linked to social connection between strangersWest et al. (2025), https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-025-00342-2LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 15, Lourdes talks about the moments when life can suddenly feel frightening or out of control, whether it starts with a phone call, ongoing stress, not feeling heard, or a major change.She looks at what it can take to get through something you never expected to face and how one small step can help when everything feels like too much.RESOURCESAgeism in a Health-Related Context: The Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioral Impacts of Subtle Age Discrimination on Older Adults, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07489-2American Psychology AssociationAnxiety and the Body, https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety?utm_source=chatgpt.comBuilding Resilience, https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/building-your-resilience?utm_source=chatgpt.comLET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailThis episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.In Episode 14, Lourdes talks about being underestimated because of age and the assumptions people can make before they know anything about you.She shares ways to respond when someone questions your ability, experience, or judgment simply because you are older.RESOURCESSenior Centers in the United StatesTo find a senior center near you in the United States, you can use an online directory  which lets you search by city and state, https://seniorcenters.com/senior-centers/LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailThis episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.In Episode 13, Lourdes talks about why saying no can be difficult and how old habits can make it harder to set boundaries.She discusses the importance of recognizing your limits and making decisions that protect your well-being.RESOURCESLearn How to Say No: Setting Boundaries for a Healthier Life (Salience Health), https://saliencehealth.com/news/learn-how-to-say-no-setting-boundaries-for-a-healthier-life/ 7 Tools for Setting Healthy Boundaries (The Conflict Center), https://conflictcenter.org/7-tools-for-setting-healthy-boundaries/How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty – Harris County Public Library blog, https://hcpl.net/blogs/post/how-to-say-no-without-feeling-guilty/Senior Centers in the United StatesTo find a senior center near you in the United States, you can use an online directory  which lets you search by city and state, https://seniorcenters.com/senior-centers/LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailThis episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.In Episode 12, Lourdes talks about awareness as an important part of personal safety and how noticing early warning signs may help prevent a situation from becoming physical.She shares personal experiences and practical ways to stay alert, pay attention to your surroundings, and recognize when something does not feel right.RESOURCESSelf‑defense – Los Angeles areaPeace Over Violence – Empowerment Self‑Defense, https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/empowerment-self-defenseSeniors Fight Back – free self‑defense classes for older adults, https://seniorsfightback.com/events/self-defense-workshop-downtown-los-angeles/ [Mentioned in episode]Safety Classes, Scam Prevention, Senior Centers – Los Angeles CountyLA County Aging & Disabilities Department (helps older adults find safety classes, scam‑prevention talks, senior centers, and more), https://ad.lacounty.gov – Info line: (800) 510‑2020Finding Assistance for Older Adults – CaliforniaFind the right office for older adults in your county, https://www.aging.ca.gov/Find_Services_in_My_County/My_County/Senior Scam Stopper resources, https://speaker.asmdc.org/protect-yourself-scams-senior-scam-stopper-resourcesSenior Scam Stopper seminars (home repair & contractor scams), https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/senior_scam_stoppers/Senior Centers in the United StatesTo find a senior center near you in the United States, you can use an online directory  which lets you search by city and state, https://seniorcenters.com/senior-centers/Senior Centers in California The California Department of Aging helps people find their county office, which connects people to senior centers and local programs, https://aging.ca.gov/Finding Self-Defense Classes Near You | Suggestions for what to type in your internet browser: In many areas of the United States, local police departments, city recreation programs, YMCAs, and senior centers offer free or low‑cost self‑defense or safety classes for older adults. You can contact your local senior center, parks and recreation department, or police community outreach office to ask about classes near you.You can also search online for ‘free self‑defense class for seniors’ plus the name of your city or county. Many short workshops are listed on event sites and city calendars.LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailThis episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.In Episode 11, Lourdes talks about a form of discrimination many people may experience without recognizing it by name: ageism.Through stories from the community and a personal story from a friend, she discusses how ageism can appear in everyday situations and how to respond when it happens.The resources below include information about age discrimination as well as immigration rights and legal support discussed in the episode.RESOURCESAgeism and Age Discrimination:U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Age Discrimination at Work: what it is, how you’re protected, and how to file a complaint, https://www.eeoc.gov/age-discriminationAmerican Society on Aging – Ageism Toolkits & Resources: practical guides and campaigns to help challenge ageism in your community, https://asaging.org/toolkits/Reframing Aging – Resources to help you talk about aging in more accurate, respectful ways, https://www.reframingaging.org/resourcesIf you are worried about ICE at home, work, or in your neighborhood, here are some resources in English and Spanish:National Immigrant Justice Center – “Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE” (flyers in simple language, English & Spanish), https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/Immigrant Defense Project – “Conozca sus derechos con ICE” (practical Spanish guidance about home visits, what to say, and what not to sign), https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/conozca-sus-derechos-con-ice/ACLU of Northern California – “Know Your Rights: If ICE Confronts You” (short, clear steps, including not opening the door without a warrant), https://www.aclunorcal.org/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-if-ice-confronts-you/If someone you love is detained or you see ICE activity, these hotlines can help you understand what to do next:California Rapid Response Network (to find local hotlines, including LA), https://www.ccijustice.org/carrnLos Angeles Raids and Rapid Response Network: (888) 624‑4752.Immigrant Defenders Law Center Rapid Response Legal Hotline (SoCal): (213) 833‑8283 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.),  https://www.immdef.org/contactFor legal help, planning, and local support in Los Angeles County:CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) – legal screenings, deportation defense help, and community education,  https://www.chirla.org/Policy/advocacy/program info example: https://www.chirla.org/what-we-do/programs-initiatives/policy-advocacy/Immigrants Are LA Resources Hub – centralized information on rights, family safety planning, and local support in LA County, https://www.immigrantsarela.com/knowyourrightsLos Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs – Know Your Rights Resource Hub, https://oia.lacounty.gov/kyr/For listeners anywhere in the United States:National Immigration Legal Services Directory – search for nonprofit immigration legal help by state and city, https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailAfter nearly a year away, Lourdes returns to the microphone in Episode 10 of Growing Older Together.She explains why she stepped away from the podcast when her mother became ill and talks about returning after her mother’s passing. Lourdes also shares what has changed and why she was ready to begin recording again.LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 9, Lourdes explores the strengths that can come with being introverted.She talks about the need for quiet, the value of listening and observation, and why introverts do not need to become more outgoing to have strong relationships or make an impact. RESOURCES Billie Gardner, Introvert VA Club, https://desiretodone.com/LET'S STAY CONNECTEDFind episodes, show notes, and more:https://campsite.bio/lourdesvaltierradirdenEmail: [email protected] you for listening.