Turning 65 is a milestone in a woman’s life — one that often comes with major health and financial decisions. Medicare is an essential part of that transition, but the system can be confusing. That’s why HealthyWomen and the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) created “Savvy and 65: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Medicare.” This free, easy-to-understand resource gives women (and caregivers) the tools they need to understand Medicare basics and enrollment, learn about coverage options, and access information about coverage for vital health priorities.

Here are seven common questions many women have about Medicare, and the answers to help you navigate the system. For a lot more helpful information, be sure to download this guide:

1. What can I do to prepare for Medicare?

While people become eligible for Medicare on their 65th birthday, the year leading up to Medicare eligibility is a critical time for preparation. During this period, people can research available plans and healthcare providers (HCPs), assess their current and potential future health needs, learn when enrollment begins and ends, and seek guidance to determine which coverage options best meet their unique needs. It may be helpful to talk to friends, neighbors, and family members about their Medicare experiences, and possibly even meet with a licensed Medicare broker to explore the different pathways. 

2. Who is eligible?

Individuals are typically eligible for Medicare once they turn 65. People younger than 65 with certain disabilities; with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease; or with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) qualify for Medicare after being on the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program for more than two years. 

The Center for Medicare Advocacy has an overview article with more information, which you can read here.

3. What is Medigap?

Medigap is supplemental insurance that helps cover out-of-pocket costs with Original Medicare for those who do not qualify for Medicaid. It covers costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles and may cover certain services not covered by Original Medicare, depending on the plan. Individuals must have both Medicare Parts A and B to buy a Medigap policy, and the best time to enroll is generally when you first enroll in Medicare. 

There are 10 different types of Medigap plans named by letters: A-D, F, G, and K-N. Each plan has different benefits. Not every state or company offers every Medigap plan, but the same basic benefits will be offered for plans with the same letter, no matter where you live or which insurance company you buy the policy from. Price is the only difference between plans with the same letter that are sold by different insurance companies. In some states, you may be able to buy another type of Medigap policy called Medicare SELECT. Compare the benefits offered by each plan.

However, some states may have their own enrollment rules, and some plans may not be available to everyone. 

4. Will I be automatically enrolled in Medicare?

Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare, while others need to actively sign up for Medicare.

People who are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits at least four months before turning 65 are automatically enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. They’ll receive their Medicare card in the mail about three months before their 65th birthday.

Those who are not yet drawing Social Security benefits must apply for Medicare manually. The application process can be completed online at the Social Security Administration website, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. It’s ideal to apply during the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The IEP is the seven-month window around an individual’s 65th birthday when they can sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Part D. This window includes the three months prior, the month of, and the three months after the enrolling person’s birthday. 

Note: This same period is called the “Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)” for Medicare Advantage/Medicare Part C.

5. When Can I Enroll in Original Medicare? 

There are a few different scenarios that are important to keep in mind: 

 It is 3 months before, 3 months after or my 65th birthday month. This is your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). You can choose any Medicare pathway for coverage.

 I missed my Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). From January 1–March 31 (General Enrollment Period), you can enroll in Medicare. From October 15–December 7 (Open Enrollment Period), you can enroll in Medicare.

 I signed up for Original Medicare and need help with out-of-pocket costs. Within the first 6 months of signing up for Original Medicare, you can enroll in Medigap. This is called the Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

 I have a Medicare plan, and I want to change my coverage. From October 15–December 7 (Open Enrollment Period), you can make changes to your plan. You can move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage during this time.  

 I have a Medicare Advantage Plan, and I want to change my coverage. You can change your plan if you are in the first 3 months after getting Medicare. From January 1–March 31, you can change your plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

 My circumstances have changed. (For example, I changed where I live OR I lost my current health coverage.) You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. The types of changes you can make and the timing depend on your life event. Learn more about what events qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period here.

6. What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid are both government health programs, but they serve different people and have different rules: 

Medicare is mainly for people 65 and older or those with certain disabilities, regardless of income. 

Medicaid is for people of any age who have limited income and resources. 

Medicare is run by the federal government, while Medicaid is a state and federal partnership, so benefits vary by state.

7. I’ve heard that there are a growing number of Medicare scams. What do I need to know about this?

Those who are enrolling in Medicare should be aware that there are several Medicare scams that will try to trick beneficiaries into providing their Medicare or Social Security number. The scams have become very sophisticated and often sound legitimate. 

The National Council on Aging has put together a guide to help people spot scammers (such as people promising free items or services or applying pressure to switch Medicare plans) and offers tips to avoid being scammed: 

1. Do not share your Medicare number with people who contact you out of the blue 

2. Do not click on suspicious links

3. Do not be afraid of threats about canceling your benefits 

4. Do not speak to anyone who tries to convince you to sign up for a certain Medicare plan 

5. Destroy your old Medicare card immediately if you receive a new one from Medicare 

6. Keep your personal medical information close and do not share it with anyone beyond healthcare providers or trusted caregivers 

7. Do not accept unauthorized genetic testing kits 

Report Medicare scams immediately by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or submit a report online to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

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Dr. Kerry Burnight, a gerontologist and bestselling author of Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half, fields the same question often:

What’s Betty’s secret?

Betty is her 96-year-old mom who is as sharp as ever, lives on her own, loves to belly-laugh, and is fun to be around. As Dr. Burnight puts it: “Family, neighbors—even strangers—can’t get enough of her.” 

So, how is Betty thriving in her 90s? What’s her secret? 

The Sunday Paper asked Dr. Burnight to sit down with her mom to get the answers straight from Betty herself. Their conversation is one that’ll warm your heart, make you laugh, and give you invaluable insights on longevity, resilience, and the secrets to living a full and meaningful life.

For those who are interested in Dr. Burnight’s bestselling book, Joyspan, here’s an exclusive excerpt:

Betty was an only child. Throughout her life she longed for a sibling and envied the closeness of sisters. She imagined sharing secrets and clothes and having someone to lean on throughout life. 

In college, she found what she had been searching for in Lynn. The two became inseparable and Lynn became the sister my mother had always wanted. Betty and Lynn each married, and they both had three children, whom they raised side by side. The friends shared bake sales, college

send-​offs, children’s weddings, and parents’ funerals. They were similar in most ways. 

One small difference between them became deeply significant over time. Betty was mindful of daily health decisions—nothing extreme, just thoughtful. Lynn, on the other hand, opted for whatever was easiest. She skipped workouts, ate processed food, favored Cokes to water, and didn’t bother with regular doctor checkups or dental cleanings. 

Betty is not a health fanatic. She loves a slice of pie or the occasional dry martini. But she is vigilant about certain habits. She stretches each morning, cooks healthy meals, takes daily walks, slathers on sunscreen, and keeps up with dental and medical appointments. Lynn felt like life was too short to fuss over such things. If she wanted dessert, she’d eat the whole slice, and probably a second. Sunscreen, water intake, exercise, and doctor appointments weren’t a priority.

She’d chide Betty, saying, “Aw common, live a little. You really think one more little whatever (cola, slice of cake, cigarette) matters?” 

For many years, the differences in their habits didn’t seem to be significant. They were both healthy and happy, and to me “Aunt Lynn” seemed cooler as a result of her relaxed approach.

By the time Betty and Lynn reached their sixties, small differences began to emerge, almost imperceptibly at first. Betty’s energy remained steady—she still walked most mornings, stayed active in her garden, and looked forward to tennis with her friends. She wasn’t without her share of aches and pains, but she managed them and stuck to her routines.

Lynn, on the other hand, started to slow down in her sixties. A nagging stiffness in her joints turned into chronic pain. Her energy waned, until getting up off the couch or going to the grocery store felt exhausting. “I just need to rest more,” she’d say when Betty invited her out. Lynn’s body was catching up with her choices.

For both Betty and Lynn, the little things accumulated over time—to the benefit of Betty and the detriment of Lynn. When they reached their late seventies, Lynn could no longer walk or transfer from her chair to her bed or to the restroom, and she required fulltime care. Lynn passed away shortly after her eightieth birthday.

Although her lifespan was eighty years, her healthspan was seventy years. On the other hand, Betty is now ninety-​six and still going strong. 

But what about their joyspans? 

Lynn’s joyspan was shorter than Betty’s. Lynn’s joyspan was around seventy-​two years as compared to ninety-​six years and counting for Betty. Lynn’s reduced healthspan impacted her joyspan in the final years of her life, as she lived with a great deal of pain and shortness of breath.

Dr. Kerry Burnight—“America’s Gerontologist”—is leading a rebellion against fear-based aging. Learn more drkerryburnight.com.

Excerpted from Joyspan by Dr Kerry Burnight, © 2025. Used with permission from Worthy Books, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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Did you know that New Year’s Day marked the beginning of the United States of America’s big birthday year?

That’s right. This July 4, we will celebrate 250 years as a nation. That may sound old to some, but it’s actually very young when you look around the globe.

To that end, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our beautiful country, the United States of America. I use the word beautiful because I believe in my heart and soul that the vast majority of Americans are beautiful, kind, generous, giving, accepting, and understanding people. I know this to be true because I’ve seen it, experienced it, and felt it firsthand. And what I’ve witnessed is beautiful.

Everywhere I go, I encounter people who are up early, working hard, and trying to provide for themselves and their families. And those same people are deeply concerned about what’s happening in our country these days. I often get asked in the coffee line: Do you feel like everything is upside down too? Are we ever going to get back to normal?

My answer? Well, I definitely don’t feel like everything is right-side up. This week alone, it wasn’t just the streets of Minneapolis that were in turmoil. Nurses were out on strike in the streets of New York City. The streets of Tehran exploded with clashes between protesters and a government hell-bent on stopping them. And in Venezuela, people are angry, fearful, and confused about who is in charge and what’s to come.

Then there is the fight with the head of the Federal Reserve. Oh, and let’s not forget that FBI raid of the home of a Washington Post reporter who has been covering the Trump administration’s firing of federal workers. Matt Murray, the executive editor of The Post, said neither the reporter, Hannah Natanson, nor the paper was a focus of the investigation. “Nonetheless,” he said, “this extraordinary, aggressive action is deeply concerning and raises profound questions and concern around the constitutional protections for our work.”

If you are reading these stories day after day like I am, then you are probably not feeling very optimistic about our beautiful country. On the one hand, you see a president encouraging protesters to stand up in Venezuela and Iran—and to stand down in Minneapolis and other American cities. You read completely different accounts of the facts and the truth from reporters on the ground and from government spokespeople. It’s dizzying. And it’s scary.

That brings me back to the beginning of our great country and all it has endured. I’ve been thinking a lot about America’s role as a leader in the world. But I’ve been thinking even more about we, the people, and our roles as leaders. I’ve thought a lot about those who came here based on an idea—a promise, an invitation—to live free from tyranny. What a concept. What an invitation. No wonder so many brave men and women said: Let me come. Let me risk everything. Let me be a part of this great experiment.

We, the people, have always been tasked with building a beautiful country upon an imagined hill. Not a perfect country—because no such thing exists—but a living, breathing one. A country built by, for, and of the people.

This has never been the work of one party. It has never been the work of one gender. It has never been the work of one race or one religion. And it has never been the work of one man. America was built upon an idea that’s big enough to include all of us. That is why our ancestors came here. They came for the promise of something better: acceptance, understanding, belonging, and freedom.

One year ago, this president was sworn in. What a tumultuous year it has been. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year since DOGE took a wrecking ball to the government, since USAID was dismantled, and since HHS was turned upside down. It’s only been months since landmark buildings were renamed and remade in the image of this president. Millions have lost health insurance since then, and the free press has been struggling to regain trust ever since a certain someone started calling everything fake and suing every network in sight. I don’t care who you are—it’s been a lot to absorb. But here is the truth: The world is watching us now like never before.

Those in power are watching. Those without it are watching too—equally invested, equally hopeful, equally afraid. They are asking: Which version of America will survive? Which America will rise in this new year? Will it be the America that welcomed the poor, the tired, the yearning, the dreamers? Or the America that hoards power, protects the ultra-wealthy, and fears the strength of the many?

Which America will we choose?

On this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I believe this moment in time asks something of all of us. It asks not just for us to dream, but for us to come together to create a new vision for who we are and what we want to stand for. It asks us to lay down outdated affiliations, hardened judgments, and inherited fears. It asks us to stop believing that any one person will save us, because that belief robs us of our own power and responsibility. It keeps us small. It keeps us frightened. It keeps us in denial.

My friends, this is not a moment for spectators. This is a moment for engaged, informed, brave citizens. That’s why I hope you’ll take a moment to read our contributions below from Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, who shares his perspective on Dr. King’s work and why it’s so urgent and important now, and from NBC journalist Andrea Mitchell, who shares her insights on how we can best stay engaged and informed.

Just before they died, my friends Rob and Michele Reiner imagined a campaign unlike any other—one in which America herself was the candidate. They dreamt of that because they believed America belonged to all of us and that we can all get behind her. I loved that idea then, and I believe in it even more now.

I have friends who are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, but they are first and foremost Americans. And they know deep in their hearts that division, contempt, fanaticism, and fear are weakening the very thing that makes America strong and beautiful.

America, like each of us, is strongest when she’s unified and whole. She’s at her best when she pairs strength with tenderness. Power with kindness. Justice with wisdom. Compassion with strong leadership. When she is centered and stable, hopeful and inviting.

Just two weeks ago, Adam Kinzinger wrote this for us here in the Sunday Paper: “What gives me hope—real, grounded hope—is not the absence of threats but the presence of resilience. I see it in young people who refuse to accept that politics must be cruel or corrupt. I see it in Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who understand that democracy is not automatic. I see it in veterans who know that loyalty to country is not loyalty to a man, and in citizens who show up, again and again, to vote, to organize, to speak.” He also told me he was more hopeful now than he was at this time last year. I love that.

My fellow citizens, now is the time to lift our shields—not against one another, but on behalf of one another. It’s time to step into the work that history has handed us. Because to whom much is given, much is required. This I know for sure.

Look, I know I am not a young woman. You may say, step aside, this is the task of a new generation. But I respectfully disagree. This task is multigenerational. We all have something to bring to this endeavor, and it will take gifts from all of us to get this right. It will take wisdom and energy. Perspective and curiosity. It will take young and old transcending the status quo in every way.

What I know is this: the stirring in my soul at this moment makes me feel young and alive. It makes me want to engage, not withdraw. It makes me want to jump in, not sit out. I am not afraid and you shouldn’t be either.

Many of us wonder why we were born, why we are here, and what our calling is on this planet. Well, I believe millions of us were born for this moment. I know I was. Great societies don’t fall only because of outside forces. They fall when the people inside them grow weary, feel powerless, and close their eyes. And great societies are reborn when ordinary people realize: This is our moment to rise.

So on this holiday weekend, as we look toward a new year, let us remember: this will be the work of our time. It will not require more outrage or noise. It will require thoughtfulness. Wisdom. Calm. Emotional steadiness. Quiet confidence. It will require us to reorient ourselves.

So if you are tired, take some time to rest, breathe, and steady yourself. Because in this year ahead, every one of us will be needed—in new ways and in different ways. We’ll be needed in ways that call forth our better angels. We will be called to offer grace to those we don’t feel deserve it, and others will be asked to offer grace to us, even when they don’t believe we deserve it.

New Year’s Day marked the beginning of our 250th year as a nation. We could choose to honor it by being angry, exhausted, and divided. Or we could choose reflection, renewal, responsibility, and nonviolence. We can choose to transcend the politics of this time. It’s up to us.

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Recently, a friend asked me a question that has stayed with me: If you were starting from scratch today, what would you build? What would you stand for? What would be on your plate?

It’s a powerful question for any life. And it’s an essential one for our country. If America were starting from scratch today, what would we build? What values would we lift up? Who would we welcome in? What would define our character?

In addition to reflecting on these questions for our country, I want to apply them to my own life as well. Because at this moment, I’m doubling down on my values, my mission, my purpose.

Here is my invitation to you: Don’t just think about these questions. Write them down and answer them for yourself too. Maybe even find twenty quiet minutes over the next few weeks to write a letter to America. Write what has broken your heart and where you still see the light. Write what you hope for America’s values, her leaders, her character, and her future. Write not only what you are asking of America, but what you are willing to give to her as well. Make it your manifestation for our country.

Share it with your family. Share it with your friends. Share it with us in the comments below. Then speak it out loud and manifest it into existence. This is how we make the country ours again. This is how we rise—not as factions, not as parties, but as people.

On November 22, 1963, my uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was scheduled to give a speech. He never got the chance. But these are the words he intended to say:

“There will always be dissident voices heard in the land, expressing opposition without alternatives, finding fault but never favor, perceiving gloom on every side, and seeking influence without responsibility. Those voices are inevitable. … We cannot expect that everyone, to use the phrase of a decade ago, will ‘talk sense to the American people.’ But we can hope that fewer people will listen to nonsense.”

My friends, we are better than the nonsense spewing out at us today. We deserve so much better. I hope that we can transcend the prevailing nonsense and ask more from those who want to lead us forward—and expect more from ourselves as well.

My uncle also intended to say that day: “So let us not be petty when our cause is so great. Let us not quarrel amongst ourselves when our Nation’s future is at stake. Let us stand together with renewed confidence in our cause, united in our heritage of the past and our hopes for the future, and determined that this land we love shall lead all mankind into new frontiers of peace and abundance.”

And so my friends, it’s true what my mother and grandmother said to me growing up: Much is expected of us. Now, my fellow citizens, much is expected of us in this world.

So let’s stop the nonsense and the finger-pointing. Let’s just go forward united. We, the people, are an unstoppable force for good. Let’s start acting as though that is our collective truth.

Are you with me?

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Senator Raphael Warnock highlights the possibility and capability of the human spirit. The US Senator for Georgia spends his time between political and spiritual seats, fighting for justice, equal rights, and peace. Every Sunday, the Reverend preaches at Ebenezer Baptist Church, the very spiritual home where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. served as co-pastor. There, the Senator refuels his cup so he can serve “day after day, to give voice to the voiceless and justice to the powerless,” as he says.

The Senator also finds endless hope and conviction in Dr. King’s legacy. “Dr. King did not carry this work alone,” Warnock tells The Sunday Paper. “He was grounded in his community, his faith, and a profound belief that when ordinary people come together, we can create a beloved community where everyone is cared for.”

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The Sunday Paper reached out to Senator Warnock to reflect on Dr. King’s message. His words remind us that while MLK Day is one day, Dr. King’s call for justice and equality endures every minute, reminding us all to uphold human dignity every day.

A CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR RAPHAEL WARNOCK

As we approach MLK Day 2026, what aspect of Dr. King's work feels most urgent to you right now?

Dr. King understood that the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice because We, The People, bend it. Sometimes we look back at the victories that were won during the Civil Rights Movement, and because we are on the other side of that history, too often we have a way of looking at it through the lens of inevitability. But it was quite improbable that they would win the victories that they won. When Dr. King was arrested and jailed, when people in his movement were beaten and bludgeoned, when it felt as if the world was against them, they felt the struggle, but they did not give in to despair. Right now, there are dark forces at work trying to weaponize despair so they can divide us, silence us, and make us throw up our hands and walk away from the fight. But I’m taking notes from Dr. King and I am not giving up–nor should the American people. I know it can sound trite to say we must keep the faith and stay the course, but I believe there is power in our persistence. If we keep peacefully protesting, keep making our voices heard, and keep showing up for our communities, we can build a beloved community that sees the dignity in all human life. And that is what is sorely needed in these difficult times.

You walk the same halls Dr. King marched to reach. What keeps you grounded in that legacy when the work feels overwhelming?

I return home to preach in the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church every Sunday; it is my kids, my community, and my congregation that always keep me grounded and remind me why I do this work and put up with politics. So when I feel overwhelmed, I have people to lean on. We all need that. And I remember that Dr. King did not carry this work alone. He was grounded in his community, his faith, and a profound belief that when ordinary people come together, we can create a beloved community where everyone is cared for. Walking through the halls of power in Washington reminds me that this work is not about titles or accolades. It is about the people. It is about showing up, day after day, to give voice to the voiceless and justice to the powerless. Even when the work is daunting and bad news is overwhelming, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to my children and children across the country to keep fighting for a more perfect union they can inherit.

The administration eliminated free national park entry for MLK Day and Juneteenth, both honoring Black Americans, while maintaining it for June 14th, the president's birthday, which is also Flag Day, a non-Federal Holiday. What message does that send?

This administration is not even trying to hide their contempt for anyone that does not look or think like them. This is the same president who, when a plane crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with a military helicopter, said that the cause was “DEI”. So in this moment in which we're seeing attacks on the very idea of diversity, which I think is the secret sauce to America's strength, the work continues. I often say to people that if you are engaged in work that can be finished in your lifetime, it's not big enough. Your life's project should be longer and larger than your lifespan. And that's why I wake up every day trying to think about what I can do for working-class people, what legislation I can pass to give every kid in Georgia a chance and in America a chance. That is the message I am focused on sending to the American people. And if we all raise our voices against the hate, lies, and vitriol coming from this administration, we can instead extol a message of unity, love, and the belief that America is big enough and good enough for all of us to succeed and have a seat at the table.

If you could ensure every American understood one thing about Dr. King's legacy this MLK Day, what would it be?

Dr. King said, “We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” It’s easy to forget the covenant we share with one another: our shared responsibilities to each other. In order to create the beloved community Dr. King talked about, we must start with the understanding that the destiny of other people’s children is connected to the destiny of our own children. As we reflect on Dr. King and his legacy today, I hope that more people can look into the eyes of other people’s children and see their own. Dr. King’s message is not confined to history — it is a living guide for addressing the challenges that confront each generation. His work reminds us that the fight for justice and equality is not only about policy debates or people in power; it is about recognizing the spark of the divine that exists within each of us. Dr. King used his faith not as a weapon to destroy people, but as a bridge to bring us together. This is the tradition I come from, and that I carry in the Senate. With every vote and decision I make in the United States Senate, I try my best to reflect the simple truth that we are in this together.

Dr. King understood strategic, principled resistance. We're seeing protests erupt over ICE enforcement and the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota. How do we teach young people, and all people for that matter, to distinguish between resistance rooted in justice vs. grievance?

On this day that we celebrate an actual king of a man, Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded that it is not about the tyrants of history. Tyrants will do what they do — but Dr. King reminds us that evil does not have the last word in the world. I am thinking especially of Renee Good. The thing that inspires me in the wake of her tragic loss, is that here is a woman who could have stayed at home and minded her own business. But she understood that her neighbor’s business is her business. That action of standing up for what you believe in, despite the personal risks, is the best of the civil rights tradition that Dr. King stood for. That is what moral leadership looks like. To those who are protesting, I urge them to continue to do so nonviolently. Dr. King reminded us that the means and the ends are inextricably linked. There’s a moral power when you stand up with dignity and in a non-violent way towards the kind of tyranny that we’re witnessing from this administration. The President wants people to respond violently. That’s why he is threatening to use the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. He would love to have a pretext for bringing even more brutality than we’re already seeing in the name of our government. We must resist the urge to do his bidding for him.

Beyond commemoration, how do citizens actively preserve legacies like Dr. King's when they're being reinterpreted, diminished, or erased? What's our responsibility when institutions themselves seem to devalue that legacy?

We need ordinary people to stand up and speak out against these attempts. Dr. King died fighting for the struggles of ordinary people — garbage collectors, day laborers, working class people. And in this moment, sadly, we have Republican leaders in Washington that have decided to give their power over to a President who wants to take us back in time to an era where powerful forces can deny certain people’s very humanity. We have got to remind ourselves that it’s not about the people in power. It’s about the power that’s in the people. Even as I fight on the inside, I am encouraged because I know there are folks standing up on the outside. We cannot give in to those who are trying to convince us to lose faith in one another. The President’s decision to put military boots on our streets, using masked men to militarize public spaces, echoes the ugliest days of our past. We may not have lived through it, but we know in our bones what it’s like to face masked, unidentified people who are demanding you to show your papers and prove your right to exist. The President is trying to convince us that our neighbors are our adversaries, but the opposite is true. That’s why Dr. King and those who fought alongside him are so important. They remind us that our destinies are inextricably connected to those of our neighbors and their children. This is our time to show up, speak up and stand up.

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock is a United States Senator for Georgia and Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Learn more at warnock.senate.gov

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Andrea Mitchell keeps our nation informed.

For nearly six decades, the veteran NBC News Chief Washington Correspondent and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent—whose longtime show, “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” was a mainstay in American homes—has been delivering the news with her signature precision and spirit. She’s asked presidents and dictators questions, sat across from survivors and protestors, and offered insight into some of the most convoluted events in policy, intelligence, and foreign affairs.

People turn to Mitchell—and that’s what we did this week. Given the imploding nature of so many stories, on US soil and foreign grounds, we sought her skilled insight to help us make sense of this moment. We asked, and Mitchell delivered. 

A CONVERSATION WITH ANDREA MITCHELL

Let’s please anchor this conversation in this moment and what we’re seeing—starting with how President Trump says his power as commander-in-chief is only limited by his own morality, not international law, nor treaties. Considering all that you’ve seen as a journalist, covering presidents and foreign policy across the globe, what do Mr. Trump’s actions mean, and have you ever seen this before?

President Trump has a unique approach to foreign policy, which creates challenges for allies and adversaries alike.  In some cases, that creates the possibility of breakthroughs, potentially, like the Abraham Accords which could transform the Middle East. Or achieving a ceasefire and the return of hostages from Gaza.  But as a disrupter of norms, part of his appeal to his base, he also could undermine decades of post-war institutions that have led to peace and prosperity in the west, such as the global trade regimes and NATO.  Because he speaks so often both in public and on social media, it can also be difficult to assess how intentional some of his comments are in the moment.  He keeps all of us very busy!      

Mr. Trump has been talking about Greenland, the Panama Canal, military action in Venezuela, pressure on Mexico and Cuba, and confrontation with Iran. When you've seen presidents push boundaries before, what usually happens? What does or does not stop them? 

Presidents are usually deterred by wise counsel from their advisors, often the National Security Advisor, Secretaries of State and Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and intelligence experts—  experienced men and women in defense, national security, diplomacy and intelligence. President Trump relies more on his own experiences and instincts.  By most accounts, most of his cabinet members are less experienced and less likely to challenge him.  He has not assembled what could in any way be described as a “Team of Rivals.”   By definition, people who are elected president usually have very large egos.  Donald Trump, who did not emerge from the worlds of either politics or public service, is by all accounts more self-confident than most of his predecessors.  

Trump met with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado last Thursday, and she gave him her Nobel Peace Prize. What is that underlying message that's critical for citizens to know there?  

The extraordinary gesture of Maria Corina Machado to present her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump as an offering was humiliating for the opposition leader, celebrated for her courage and convictions.  It was also a “tell” about how foreign leaders feel they have to flatter Trump in order to secure his favor.  In this case, although he has repeatedly talked about how much he feels he is deserving of the Nobel – and is clearly rankled by the fact that President Obama was awarded it early in his presidency — by his own admission, without accomplishing enough to earn it.  The Nobel committee issued a statement saying the prize cannot be transferred.  In that sense, it becomes little more than another decorative piece in the Oval Office, although one that is actually gold.  Its purely symbolic nature reinforces that the administration has chosen Maduro Vice President Darcy Rodriguez to lead Venezuela, emphasizing continuity rather than regime change and oil economics over democracy. 

The president is threatening military action if Iran executes protestors, But here on US soil, a mother was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis. How do you make sense of that contradiction, championing protesters abroad while cracking down on dissent at home?

Right now, Trump seems to be heeding the caution expressed by Arab partners and Israel that military strikes would not achieve regime change in Iran, and that Iran could retaliate with a missile barrage against U.S. bases and regional allies. He is seizing on diplomatic assurances from Iran that they have at least temporarily halted executions.  There is a fundamental difference between his approach to Iran and his determination to respond aggressively to domestic protests.  Despite growing political criticism of the tactics used in Minnesota and elsewhere by ICE and other federal law enforcement, he has – so far – expressed confidence in their policies.  And in his powerful Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who is driving them.     

Journalism and journalists have always faced being targeted, but there’s an intense heat and disrespect felt from this administration. Last week, we saw how Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s home was searched by the FBI. As a journalist, how did you respond to this news?

There is widespread agreement that the search broke precedent since the FBI acknowledged that Hannah Natanson is not a target of a criminal investigation.  It certainly set off alarm bells in the media about the administration’s approach to what had been regarded as first amendment protections.

For people who want to stay well informed, what should we keep on eye on that may not be obvious right now?

People who want to be well informed should make sure they are not restricting themselves to single sources of information or becoming trapped in niches.  They should open themselves to multiple sources of information and try to reach independent judgments, as well as remaining open to different points of view.  We all have to resist the polarization that is dividing our country.   

Andrea, having covered this world for so long, how do you make sense of this moment for yourself?

Honestly, this is an unprecedented time for journalism–and for everyone.  We are approaching the anniversary of the 250^th year of our democracy and it would be useful to reread what the Founders wrote about the importance of our freedoms.  Social media can be liberating but also dangerously misleading.  I turn to valued sources and also look for ways to take mental breaks with music, art, family and friendships.  Great literature, the Bible and other spiritual readings are good resources for many.  We have to remember that we are all struggling with similar daily challenges. Make an effort to reach across political and cultural divides.  My faith also teaches me the value and obligation of charitable works and mentoring. It is great for the soul. 

Andrea Mitchell is the NBC News Chief Washington Correspondent and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent. She is also the author of Talking Back. . . to Presidents, Dictators, and Assorted Scoundrels. Find her latest reports here.

A man went forth with gifts.

He was a prose poem.
He was a tragic grace.
He was a warm music.

He tried to heal the vivid volcanoes.
His ashes are
reading the world.

His Dream still wishes to anoint
the barricades of faith and of control.

His word still burns the center of the sun
above the thousands and the
hundred thousands.

The word was Justice. It was spoken.

So it shall be spoken.
So it shall be done.

—Gwendolyn Brooks

This week at The Sunday Paper, we're sharing a film, book, podcast, and recipe that we believe will add inspiration to your days. We hope these suggestions open your heart and mind and encourage you to come together for meaningful conversations.

What We’re Watching

Our social media manager Mara has been all-in on Heated Rivalry for weeks and has slowly convinced most everyone on the team to watch it. Needless to say, we’re headed to the cottage! In a recent interview, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman admitted that he's binge-watching the show about the love story between two top hockey stars as well.

What We’re Reading

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are featuring We Dream a World by his granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King. The book carries the light of her grandparents, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Ahead of Dr. King’s 100th birthday in 2029, Yolanda’s nonprofit Realize the Dream calls for 100 million hours of service by then.

What We’re Listening To

For the past 50 years, journalist Terry Gross has focused on one thing: her podcast Fresh Air. In this talk essay interview, Gross reflects on how the show began as an experiment for WHYY and shares her hopes for the future of public media and long-form interviews.

Sunday Paper Recipe

Chocolate “Turtle” Cakes

Makes 6

This dessert is inspired by a box of chocolates called Turtles that I was gifted many years ago as an apology from a boyfriend. The boyfriend is long gone (the Turtles were good, but not that good!), but the taste and texture of those chocolate-covered caramel domes (the turtle’s shell) with pecans underneath (its head and legs) lived on in my imagination for many years, until they hatched into the idea of this recipe.

The chocolate has a slightly gooey center—bake it for 1 minute longer if you want it firmer. These are best eaten warm, when the sticky pecan caramel mingles with the soft cake, with lightly whipped cream or ice cream.

Chocolate cake

½  cup (115 g) butter, cold, cut into 6 pieces, plus 2 teaspoons extra, softened, for brushing

¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process), plus 1 ½ tablespoons

extra for dusting

½ cup (120 ml) whole milk

2 teaspoons instant coffee powder (optional, see Preparation Tip)

1 ½  teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (140 g) all-purpose flour packed ½  cup plus 1 tablespoon 120 g (4¼ ounces) light brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Pecan caramel sauce

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (130 g) granulated sugar

3 tablespoons water

1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

¾  teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt

½  cup (50 g) roasted pecans, roughly chopped

To finish

ice cream or lightly whipped cream, to serve

Preparation Tips

> The cakes are cooked in individual bowls. I like to use my rice bowls, but any heatproof ramekin or bowl around ¾ cup (180 ml) capacity will be fine. It can be fun to use a variety, but keep in mind that the bake time may change—thicker ceramic bowls will take a little longer, and metal ramekins will heat up more quickly.

> Be brave with the cooking of the caramel. Take it as far as you can without burning it, to give it a deeper, more complex flavor. Make sure the pecans are well roasted to bring out their buttery flavors and maximize their crunch.

> Coffee enhances and deepens the flavor of cocoa, bringing out its richness and complexity. But if serving this to children, leave out the coffee, or use decaffeinated instead (unless you want to be up all night!).

1.  Prepare 6 ovenproof bowls (about ¾-cup/180 ml capacity; see Preparation Tip) by brushing lightly and evenly with the softened butter. Put the extra cocoa powder into one of the bowls, rotate the bowl to coat thinly in the cocoa powder, then tap the cocoa out into another bowl and repeat the process until all the bowls are coated lightly and evenly. Turn the last bowl over the sink or a compost bin and tap firmly to remove the excess cocoa powder. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and set aside for now.
2. To make the cakes, put the milk in a medium saucepan and place over medium-low heat. When the milk is hot, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, coffee (if using), and vanilla. Whisk gently until the butter has melted, then set aside to cool for a few minutes before whisking in the eggs.
3. Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C).
4. Into a large bowl, sift the flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the mixed wet ingredients and stir with a whisk until fully combined, then transfer to a large liquid measuring cup.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared bowls (about 3 1/3 ounces/100 g each, if you want to weigh it), then place the tray with the bowls into the oven. Bake for around 12 minutes (for a slightly gooey center, which is just how I like it!), or 1 minute longer if you’d prefer it fully cooked through. A slight dome or crack will appear in the center of the cakes when they are nearly ready. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
6. While the cakes are in the oven, make the pecan caramel sauce. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Place over low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat to medium-high and stop stirring. Cook, swirling the pan gently from time to time, until the syrup turns a deep amber color. Remove the pan from the heat and (standing back a little to avoid the splutter) very carefully add the cream and butter. Stir until the caramel is smooth, then add the vanilla, salt, and chopped pecans. Stir to combine.
7. Carefully place each cake (still in its bowl) on a serving plate. Spoon some of the warm pecan caramel sauce over the top to serve, and pass around bowls of ice cream or lightly whipped cream.

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American Tiger is Adam Skolnick’s first novel, but its story—or rather, the incident that anchors the story—is one he’s written about before. In 2005, a tiger got loose and roamed Simi Valley, California, for weeks. That same year, Skolnick reported on the wild-but-true chase for the LA Weekly. “It just stuck with me,” he says about reporting on the event. So, he listened to that and, being the self-described “over-researcher” he is, explored the story more deeply over the following two decades, ultimately spinning its threads into his first work of fiction.

Despite his years of penning articles for global publications, from free diving for the New York Times to environmentalism for Outside Magazine, Skolnick admits to a struggle in writing this book—more than 25 drafts’ worth. He found writing fiction harder. But in reading American Tiger and seeing the vast detail it offers about humanity, how we relate to one another, and our natural world, one might see that his struggle comes from more than that. Skolnick knows the responsibility of good storytelling: to show us who we are. It requires a deeper effort not normally credited, and that is something he’s keen to honor.

A CONVERSATION WITH ADAM SKOLNICK

What did you learn about yourself while writing your first fiction book—as a journalist, a writer, and a person?

I learned fiction is a lot harder than nonfiction! The doubt is louder. I’ve written nonfiction books before, coming from a journalism perspective. You have this source material that you can use as your vessel to get you through the process. For [fiction], you don't really have that. You have source material, but you're not as connected to it. You're not as married to it. And so that gives you some freedom, but it also presents so many pitfalls. So the doubt was really loud—and for me, it was loud for the first 10 or 12 drafts, and I did 25 drafts of this. But what happens every time I've written a book so far is you get to a point where the doubt goes away, and you realize you have something of value, and then you're on the downhill, and it's fun. But for this book, it was probably two years of not that much fun and not that much knowing if it was worth the time and energy. There were a lot of internal battles to contend with, all the uncertainty, the doubt, and the negativity. But once I found the pathway to publication, it was really joyful. 

I think that's the creative process. It’s this inspiration, then execution. And at times it's really fun, but often it's really hard.

Your honesty is refreshing because often we get to glimpse into the backend of art, mainly movies, but not as much with books. And the visions of Hemingway sitting there romantically writing away, or Bukowski smoking and drinking while feverishly writing, make the craft look easier than it is.

I mean, why do you think Bukowski was drinking all the time? Were they happy at all? It’s really like, is it going to be a battle, or is it going to be a flow? What I found over the years is that some days are battles and some days flow. But the weird thing about writing, in my experience, is that when it flows, that doesn't necessarily mean the work is better. And when you're fighting every word, sometimes that's better, and there's no rhyme or reason why. That's what's weird about writing. It is a mystery. And every time you start something new, you don't know if you can pull it off, so it's like this act of faith. The way I look at books is that a good book is about what it means to be alive. They can be about any number of subjects, but at the root, it's what it means to be alive.

You use the word “faith.” This work, writing and journalism, is so needed yet it’s hard, as you’ve detailed, and often undervalued, with current times proving such for journalism. What motivates you to do what you do?

It's changed over the years. When I first started, it was just about trying to write my way around the world. Then it went from that to, Wait, I want to actually get good at this craft. I want to get better. I was doing Lonely Planet travel guides, and you can learn to write a better travel guide, and that’s great, and I love service journalism, but for me, I realized I have to tell stories to get better. So, it then became about storytelling. Now I've gotten to a point where I can sit with people who are grieving or have something to say. I can listen and have empathy and channel it into something meaningful for people. It is the skill that I've created, or, I guess, developed through this journey, and it's something I want to keep doing. It's my way of contributing, honestly. For the project I'm [working on] now, I'm dealing with people who've dealt with death and are grieving. It’s like a public service, and as journalists, that's the one thing we forget. We forget that with the deadlines and pressure we’re under, and the economic pressure of the institution kind of collapsing around us, we're trying to find a place where we can still exist and work. As challenging as it all is, our gift is that we can hold space for people. That's our public service.

When it comes to American Tiger, what do you hope readers take away from the story?

I hope they can find an escape from this madness we're dealing with now. It takes it back to a place, 2005, which seems like such a simpler time. I hope it’s an entertaining journey that moves them. The other thing is what I see with all my work, but especially this, that I kind of pop the bubble and let people see that we are more than we think we are. In the sense of American Tiger, it’s that we are nature. We are not separate from nature. We are a manifestation of nature. And so that's what I really hope that people see: that whether they consider themselves a nature person or not, they’re still part of nature. I'm hoping that people connect with that because it's beautiful. When you have that connection to nature, it empowers you in ways that can navigate you through some difficult times.

Adam Skolnick is an independent journalist, author, and podcaster. Learn more here.

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Over the course of the last three years, I spent more than 300 hours on calls with more than 100 experts to report and write my book, The New Rules of Women’s Health (out today!). 

Even though I’ve been a journalist focused on health topics for the last twenty-five years, I lost track of the number of times I stared open-mouthed in surprise at the information I was learning. Again and again, these conversations revealed game changing insights that inspired me to make meaningful changes in my own life.

Here are five tips I’ve embraced. My hope is that they’ll also help you feel more informed, empowered, and excited to make changes that’ll impact your health for the better, too.

Tip No. 1: Stop bragging about your high pain tolerance. It could be making your pain worse.

Like most women, I like to think of myself as a tough cookie. I’m not a complainer. I can power through the tough stuff life throws my way—including physical pain. But after I interviewed Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon and author of the bestselling book Unbreakable, I started to re-think my tough-it-out strategy. Dr. Wright told me she sees a distinct trend among her female patients who are in agony: They all brag about their high pain tolerance.

“They wear this identity like a badge of honor—as if the only reason they feel like they can finally come to see me to get some relief from their pain is because they’ve suffered a very long time,” she says. Yet in our effort to not seem like we’re complaining, we may actually be making our pain worse—and harder to treat. Here’s why:

If your pain is acute, you feel pain and then it goes away. However, if you’re dealing with intense, untreated pain or chronic pain that persists over a long period of time, the pain receptors in your spine get repeatedly stimulated. As a result, they become more sensitive and responsive to subsequent stimuli, even if those stimuli are harmless and shouldn’t actually cause pain. Over time, this extra excitability of pain receptors in the spine makes them more efficient at transmitting a barrage of pain signals, which heightens your body’s ability to perceive pain even more. This is often referred to as “central sensitization” and it’s why someone with untreated or chronic pain may become more sensitive to pain than the average person, says Antje M. Barreveld, MD, chief of pain medicine at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Mass General Brigham. 

Thanks to this information, I now pipe up about pain rather than powering through. And I talk about it with my family and friends. Sharing the truth about what we’re going through is an important step toward feeling fully seen in our pain. It can also help us shake off that “I have a high pain tolerance” identity and inspire the other women in our lives to do the same. 

Tip No. 2: Don’t beat yourself up about some screen time before bed. Do think about what you’re watching on those screens.  

You’ve heard the advice before: If you want a great night of shut-eye, eliminate screen time before bed. However, even more important than the blue light exposure you get from the TV and other screens before you hit the hay is what you’re looking at on those screens, says sleep specialist Shelby Harris, PsyD. 

“If you’re doomscrolling or watching something that’s going to stress you out or keep you hooked in—like your social media feeds—it’s more likely to keep you awake longer than if you’re watching something that relaxes you,” she says.

I used to beat myself up for watching TV or being on my phone before bed. Now, I indulge—but I’m more thoughtful about what I’m watching. A feel-good show on TV or YouTube videos of baby sea otters on social media? Bring it on. I’m steering clear of the dark thrillers and endless Instagram feed though.

Tip No. 3: Doing a few simple things can help you get more out of short doctor visits.

Healthcare visits are shorter than ever, which can be frustrating for us and for our clinicians. After weeks (and sometimes months) waiting for an appointment, the last thing we want is to feel rushed. But here’s the truth: Doctors also feel frustrated, torn between providing good care and not running hours behind schedule. 

I asked family medicine physician Shilpi Agarwal, MD, to share her thoughts on what she loves to see patients do to optimize a short appointment. Her No. 1 tip: Prepare for your healthcare visits by writing down a list of all of your concerns and questions and then prioritize that list in order of what’s impacting you the most. Then, at the start of your appointment, say something like, “These are the three things I’ve been struggling with that I’d like to talk about, but I understand you may not have time to address them all today. This is the one that feels most pressing to me.”

“Saying something along those lines creates a bridge between you and your clinician,” says Dr. Agarwal. “It lets us know that you realize we have limited time, and it also gives us the information we need to give you the best possible care in the time we do have.”

Tip No. 4: Midlife is a window of opportunity. The lifestyle changes you make now can lead to big health benefits later. 

When it comes to things like cognitive decline and heart disease, it can be tempting to think that they happen to older women—and that in mid-life, we don’t need to worry about them. What’s more, our 30s, 40s, and 50s are decades when many of us feel spent juggling work, caretaking (often both young kids and aging parents), and staying connected to family and friends. Then, there’s the reality that during mid-life, many women don’t see the doctor as often as they should, says Lisa Larkin, MD, board-certified internal medicine and women’s health expert and founder and CEO of Ms. Medicine. 

“You go from your reproductive years where you have great points of contact with your OB-GYN and then you turn 40, you’re done having babies, and you’re busy,” she says. “You don’t go to the doctor very much because—if you’re lucky and you feel pretty good—you don't need to.”

However, once you hit your 60s, that’s when health problems like hypertension, high cholesterol, or maybe even diabetes are more likely to strike. “There’s literally 20 to 25 years where women have very few points of contact with the health system,” says Dr. Larkin. “And the problem is that if I am going to help you live a long, healthy life well into your 90s, I need to take care of you when you're 40. That’s when lifestyle interventions can have the biggest magnitude of impact.”

I got off the phone with Dr. Larkin and immediately did a 5-minute assessment of my healthcare visits and cancer screenings. (Sure enough, I was behind on my annual physical.) I also considered how I was doing on the key lifestyle habits that are proven to prevent disease: exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social connections. I set some new goals for myself. And these days, when I notice myself falling off track in one of these areas, I gently nudge myself back into an ideal routine by reminding myself of the health payoffs I’ll reap years from now.

Tip No. 5: Menopause isn’t all doom and gloom. Focusing on its upsides can help us feel more empowered.

We’re collectively talking about the menopause transition a lot these days, which is awesome. This once-taboo topic is everywhere—on TV, in movies, all over our social media feeds—and it’s helping us feel more comfortable bringing up the many difficult symptoms of this major hormonal change with our doctors and with each other. 

Yet with much of the focus on the hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes and other downsides of this transition, the upsides are often forgotten about. It’s time to change that, says Tanmeet Sethi, MD, integrative family medicine physician and author of Joy Is My Justice: Reclaim What Is Yours.

“There is an open field of possibility in the stark change that menopause ushers in,” says Dr. Sethi. “It can be a big emotional and spiritual transition—a time to reinvent ourselves and claim what we really want and need.” Where to start?

See change as possibility. Think back to other big changes in your life, whether it was a career pivot, a big move, or a breakup. When you were in the thick of the tough emotions those transitions prompted, it was probably difficult or maybe even impossible to see all the ways you were growing. Now, with some perspective, you can likely see how your most challenging moments helped you become the person you are today. 

Focus on the ways your body’s changes are a good thing. No more periods or worrying about birth control are at the top of the list for many women, but the changes go far beyond that. There are also physical changes that happen in your brain that can lead to more emotional control, which often translates to feeling more self-confident and less reactive and being able to move through life with more empathy and emotional stability, adds Dr. Sethi—all of which correlates with more contentment. 

Notice what’s happening inside your body. During this phase of life, it can be especially tempting to figuratively step out of our bodies because we don’t like what’s happening. After all, it’s uncomfortable to not be sleeping as well as you once did, or to feel some extra fat around your belly that never used to be there. However, being embodied—cultivating a connection and coherence between our bodies and minds—is how we step into our power, says Dr. Sethi. It’s how we listen to our bodies’ wisdom. It’s how we see symptoms we may be dealing with not as terrible pathologies but rather as part of a transition. And it’s how we listen to what change is telling us we really want—and go after it.

This piece was adapted from THE NEW RULES OF WOMEN'S HEALTH: Your Guide to Thriving at Every Age, on sale today!

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