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From the Studio to the Kitchen
Atlanta radio fixture David Hull talks about hanging up his headphones to pursue another passion. By David Hull David Hull is a familiar voice to a generation of Atlanta residents. His decades in radio included stints at WGST-AM, CNN Radio and WQXI-AM and 94 Q I used to be someone else. Several times, in fact. Once or twice, I chose to become someone else. Sometimes I was pushed. When that happened, I always tried to make sure my pockets contained stuff I might need. My cur
Randall Bloomquist
4 days ago3 min read


Retiring Before 65? Health Insurance Could Be Your Biggest Obstacle
Georgia Access premiums are climbing again for 2027. Here is what a 62-year-old in metro Atlanta should know, and why your income, not just your age, will set the bill. By Next30ATL You are 62. The mortgage is manageable. Your retirement accounts look healthy. Social Security is available if you decide you need it. Maybe you really can retire. Then comes the question that can upend the whole calculation: how will you pay for health insurance until Medicare starts at 65? Many
Randall Bloomquist
4 days ago10 min read


Atlanta’s Halloween Weekend Offers More Than Tricks and Treats
October 30–November 1, 2026 Halloween falls on Saturday this year, giving Atlanta a whole weekend to dress up, get out and have some fun. But you don’t need a costume—or an appetite for haunted houses—to enjoy it. Options include Cuban music at the Fox, jazz in an intimate listening room, a free Clapton tribute, and a Sunday tour at Oakland Cemetery. One of the biggest draws is Buena Vista Social Club, which finishes its Atlanta engagement at the Fox Theatre in Midtown on Su
Randall Bloomquist
6 days ago4 min read


Could Menopause Hormone Therapy Help Protect Memory?
Spoiler Alert: Maybe. But It’s Too Soon to Know Could a treatment for hot flashes also help protect against Alzheimer’s disease? A new study raises that possibility. But the potential benefit remains unconfirmed: Researchers have not proved that estrogen prevents Alzheimer’s, and women should not start or change hormone therapy for that purpose based on these findings. The Stanford-led researchers found that women who reported taking estrogen-only menopause hormone therapy h
Randall Bloomquist
6 days ago4 min read


Take Pride in Retirement - Episode 1
We are pleased to announce that licensed financial advisor Matt McCure has joined Next30ATL as our resident expert on the personal finance needs of the LGBTQ+ community. This is the first episode of his series on retirement planning. Matt is a financial advisor and host of Take Pride in Retirement, a podcast that helps LGBTQ+ individuals and couples prepare for retirement with confidence. A licensed advisor, Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®), and Certified Annuity
Randall Bloomquist
Oct 231 min read


Welcome to Next30ATL!
Next30ATL is a locally owned newsletter and website helping metro Atlanta’s adults 50-plus make the most of the Second Half of Life.
Randall Bloomquist
Oct 112 min read


'Failure to Launch' Resources
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Next30ATL generates revenue from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through them. Look for the [paid link] tag next to our recommendations. Dr. Maggie Wray recommends these books for families navigating a child's transition to responsible adulthood. Books for parents trying to help their young adults launch successfully: Failure to Launc
Randall Bloomquist
Sep 301 min read


When an Adult Child Struggles to Launch
Dr. Maggie Wray explains why independence is about more than moving out — and how parents can help young adults build momentum without taking over.
Randall Bloomquist
Sep 2811 min read


BMI Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story After 65. Waist Size May Fill In the Gaps
New research suggests that weight, waist circumference, strength and physical function should be considered together when evaluating your health For decades, body mass index has been the standard shorthand for determining whether someone’s weight falls into a “healthy” range. But after age 65, BMI alone may conceal as much as it reveals. A new longitudinal study led by University of Rhode Island researchers found that BMI and waist circumference provide different — and comple

Next30ATL
Sep 113 min read


Could Some Popular Supplements Harm the 50+ Brain?
New research raises questions about vitamin D, fish oil and glucosamine — but scientists caution that the findings are preliminary and should not prompt people to abandon medically necessary supplements For years, vitamin D, fish oil and glucosamine have occupied the "good guys" side of the medicine cabinet. They are widely available, often described as “natural” and commonly taken by older adults hoping to protect their bones, brains, hearts or joints. But several studies no
Randall Bloomquist
Sep 114 min read


Atlanta’s Now A Top-Ranked Retirement Destination. Are We Ready? Are You?
A new WalletHub ranking places Atlanta among the nation’s best retirement cities, adding to years of recommendations for Atlanta, its suburbs and Georgia. That visibility could bring economic benefits — but also more competition for housing, health care and services Atlanta has spent decades attracting young professionals, corporate relocations and families looking for opportunity. Increasingly, however, the region is receiving attention for something else: retirement. In its

Next30ATL
Sep 25 min read


Should You be Worried About West Nile Virus?
Don't put away the bug spray just yet. Even as the weather cools, mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been detected in several parts of metro Atlanta. Most infections cause no illness, but the risk of complications does rise with age. *Updated October 26, 2026 The modern world seems determined to provide us with an endless stream of things to worry about. One ongoing example: West Nile virus. Fortunately, this one calls for more practical precautions than fretfulness. Bu

Next30ATL
Sep 24 min read


The Unexpected Friend Next Door: Companionship After 50 Can Take Many Forms
When Rylie Middaugh suddenly needed a place to live, she found much more than a guesthouse. She found Tom. Middaugh, a 28-year-old wedding photographer, was living in Bend, Oregon, when she and her boyfriend broke up. Moving home to South Carolina was complicated because she already had photography jobs booked in Oregon. A friend suggested that she stay in the backyard guesthouse of Tom Ward, the 71-year-old former partner of the friend’s late mother. What began as an improvi

Next30ATL
Sep 13 min read


Shared Interests Can Lead to Shared Passion
Dating apps may expand the field, but Atlanta’s best opportunities for connection often happen in places where people gather regularly around a hobby or activity.
Randall Bloomquist
Sep 14 min read


Don't Fear the Finger
Prostate testing usually starts with a blood test For generations of men, the words “prostate exam” have conjured up one uncomfortable image: a doctor snapping on a glove and performing a digital rectal exam. That expectation may be keeping some men from discussing prostate-cancer screening after age 50. But here is the part many do not know: Today, the conversation usually begins with a simple blood test — not a rectal exam. The prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test measur
Randall Bloomquist
Sep 14 min read


New GSU Law Clinic Will Help Families Protect Inherited Property
A new legal clinic at Georgia State University will offer free assistance to qualifying property owners facing "heirs’ property" problems — a frequently overlooked threat to family homes and generational wealth. Heirs’ property issues commonly develop when someone dies without a will, trust or estate plan. A home or parcel of land may then pass informally to several relatives. Over generations, the number of people holding an ownership interest can multiply, while the deed an

Next30ATL
Sep 12 min read


Podcasts: Mick Jagger at 80
Living Rock God Mick Jagger recently did two podcast interviews to promote the Rolling Stones latest album, Foreign Tongues. His conversations with the New York Times and Conan O'Brien are fascinating, even if you aren't a Stones or classic rock fan. In the NYT interview, Jagger rejects social pressure to deny that aging takes a toll, and acknowledges that he has to work around some of his limitations, likening it to still being on the soccer team, but now playing goalie inst
Randall Bloomquist
Aug 311 min read


Beyond the Hour Glass: The Surprising Sleep Secret to Healthier Aging
For decades, health-conscious adults over 50 have tracked their sleep like a strictly monitored bank account. The golden goal has always been simple: Secure seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night to preserve sharp minds, high energy and physical vitality. However, a groundbreaking study published by MindBodyGreen reveals that focus has been shifted away from a crucial component. It turns out that tracking the clock is only half the battle; ensuring a consistent sleep schedul

Next30ATL
Aug 313 min read


Could Your Mouth Offer Clues About How Well You’re Aging?
Researchers are finding important connections between oral health, inflammation, sleep and chronic disease. But the science comes with an important caution: A connection is not always proof of cause We tend to think of the dentist as the person who fills a cavity, repairs a chipped tooth or reminds us — again — to floss more often. But your mouth may deserve a more prominent place in your long-term health plan. A growing body of research links poor oral health, particularly g

Next30ATL
Aug 314 min read


The Surprising Longevity Lesson of a Small Pennsylvania Town
Roseto’s residents once suffered remarkably few fatal heart attacks. Researchers eventually concluded that the town’s close families and strong community life may have helped protect their health For years, Americans hoping to live longer have been urged to search for the right diet, workout, supplement or medical treatment. But the experience of one small Pennsylvania town suggests that another influence may belong on the list: the strength of our relationships. As recently

Next30ATL
Aug 314 min read
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