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Aging Like Fine Wine: Do We Really Get Wiser with Age?
22nd January 2026 • The James Brown Commentary • James A. Brown
00:00:00 00:00:58

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Wisdom doesn’t automatically come with age, and boy, do we dive into that juicy topic! Just like a fine wine that only gets better if those grapes were top-notch from the get-go, we explore how some folks just trade in their youthful mistakes for a few more gray hairs instead of actual wisdom. It’s a wild ride through the realization that sometimes, we don't really grow up; we just get older and maybe a tad wrinklier! We chat about the quirky idea that while lived years might seem packed with lessons, the reality can be a bit more sobering. So, grab a comfy seat and join me, James A. Brown, as we uncork this thought-provoking conversation about life, aging, and the mysteries of personal growth. Let’s laugh, ponder, and maybe even question what really makes us wiser as we age!

Takeaways:

  1. Wisdom is not a guaranteed perk of aging; it's more about what you learn along the way.
  2. Just like fine wine, some of us improve with age, but it all depends on our 'grape' origins.
  3. Aging gracefully doesn't mean avoiding mistakes; sometimes we just keep repeating them like a catchy tune.
  4. It's essential to reflect on our past mistakes to truly grow and evolve, regardless of our age.
  5. Time alone doesn't make us wiser; it's the lessons we choose to learn that count in the long run.
  6. Remember, bad grapes can't just be aged into good wine; we need to understand what went wrong first.

Links referenced in this episode:

  1. jamesabrown.net

Transcripts

Speaker A:

This is the Daily note from jamesabrown.net have you heard of Dear Abby?

Speaker A:

The longtime advice columnist once said that wisdom doesn't automatically come with age.

Speaker A:

Nothing does, except for wrinkles.

Speaker A:

It's true that some wines improve with age, but only if the grapes were good in the first place.

Speaker A:

And, boy, she was right.

Speaker A:

We want to believe that time makes us wiser, that lived years equal, lessons learned.

Speaker A:

But as I watch the world around me, I see people in their 60s making the same mistakes that they made at 30.

Speaker A:

We don't grow up, we just get old.

Speaker A:

Good grapes at 20 become better wine at 50.

Speaker A:

And bad grapes?

Speaker A:

The only question that matters here is what made them bad in the first place?

Speaker A:

So what do you think?

Speaker A:

Let me know on jamesabrown.net on that note.

Speaker A:

I'm James A.

Speaker A:

Brown, and as always, be well.

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