Julia Gets Wise with Rita Moreno

On today’s episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia connects with EGOT-winning actress, singer, and dancer Rita Moreno on her 93rd birthday. The two discuss why Rita almost backed out of her Oscar-winning turn as Anita in West Side Story and the complex emotions Rita experienced after her husband of 45 years passed away. Julia and Rita also bond over the fact that they both find Mel Brooks sexy. Later, Julia talks with her 90-year-old mom, Judith, about seeing the original West Side Story on Broadway and how musicals can be an important vehicle for storytelling.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Rita Moreno @theritamoreno on Instagram.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Wiser Than Me is sponsored by ZOE. Visit ZOE.com to find out what ZOE Membership could do for you and use the exclusive code WISER10 to get 10% off membership.   For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Wiser Than Me, Julia welcomes 80-year-old singer, actress, and entrepreneur Patti LaBelle. The two discuss Patti’s legendary Grammy Award-winning music career and what the “Godmother of Soul” has cooked for friends like Nina Simone, Elton John, and Prince. Plus, Patti tells Julia why she was convinced she wouldn't live to see 50. Also, Julia asks her 90-year-old mom, Judith, if she can remember any racy song lyrics from her youth.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Patti LaBelle @mspattilabelle on Instagram.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re excited to feature an episode of Be My Guest with Ina Garten, one of our favorite podcasts! On Be My Guest, Ina welcomes a different friend over to her Hamptons home to share stories about career, love, and life – all while cooking up an amazing meal. On this episode of Be My Guest, Ina and Julia spend the day together and talk about Julia’s challenges at Saturday Night Live, her favorite standout "Seinfeld" moments and what she’s learned from making this podcast, Wiser Than Me. Listen to Be My Guest wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this encore episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia gets enlightened by 76-year-old cook and author Ina Garten. From working on nuclear policy at the White House and operating her famous specialty food store Barefoot Contessa, to penning best-selling books and hosting hit TV shows – Ina has done it all. Her culinary influence goes beyond technique; it's about simplicity and connection. Ina shares how aging has changed her taste in food and how she deals with passive-aggressive people.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Ina Garten @inagarten on Instagram.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with 72-year-old actress, director, and model Isabella Rossellini, currently starring in the film Conclave. The two dive into a conversation about Isabella’s Long Island farm, why she loves referring to herself as ancient, and her personal journey with sexuality and romance, particularly in her later years. Plus, Julia asks her 90-year-old mom, Judith, to recite a perfectly timed Mary Oliver poem and plots a potential adventure with her.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Isabella Rossellini @isabellarossellini on Instagram.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia talks with 94-year-old trailblazing labor activist Dolores Huerta. Dolores reflects on her iconic “Sí Se Puede” (“Yes We Can”) slogan, shares her views on healthy divorces, and opens up about confronting some of her own long-held Catholic beliefs. The pair also discuss the lasting influence of Dolores's mother, while Julia recalls what may have been her own first act of activism. Plus, Julia’s 90-year-old mom, Judith, opens up about the evolution of her views on women’s reproductive rights.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Dolores Huerta @DoloresHuerta on X and Instagram.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wiser Than Me will be back with a brand new episode next week. In the meantime, we wanted to share an episode of another podcast where Julia was a guest – On with Kara Swisher. In this episode, Kara and Julia discuss how in-depth conversations with iconic older women have radicalized her, her concerns about the commercialization of art films and why she thinks comedy is risky – but still very much possible. Listen to On with Kara Swisher every Monday and Thursday from New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with 70-year-old comedy icon – and star of Beetlejuice and Schitt’s Creek – Catherine O’Hara. Catherine and Julia share their improv origin stories and reminisce about the freedom and experimentation of their early comedy careers. They also swap stories about visiting the Vatican, over-apologizing, and how they both find laughter incredibly sexy. Plus, Judith, Julia’s 90-year-old mom, tries very hard to tell a joke.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with legendary legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. Nina is one of the founding mothers of NPR and has been covering the Supreme Court for over 50 years, longer than any justice has sat on the bench. Julia asks Nina about her friendship with the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, balancing relationships across political lines, and the emotional toll of long-term caretaking. Plus, Judith, Julia's 90-year-old mother, tells a story about how attitudes towards women’s ambition have changed in her lifetime.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Nina Totenberg @NinaTotenberg on X.    Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia welcomes legendary chef, author, and farm-to-table pioneer Alice Waters. They discuss Alice’s incredible career at her groundbreaking restaurant Chez Panisse and turning 80. Together, they explore the philosophy of age, food, and beauty. Julia also asks Alice about the meaning she finds in moments of pause, and later talks with her 90-year-old mom, Judith, about the victory garden she grew up with during World War II.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Alice Waters @alicelouisewaters on Instagram.    Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    This episode of Wiser Than Me is sponsored by Mill. Go to Mill.com/Wiser for $100 off your Mill bin.   For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.