Ep 18: Corinne Auman, gerontologist: Sparkly shoes, ageism and second acts
What does it really mean to grow older, and are we using the right language to talk about it? For instance, you may be an older adult, but you could be a “young old” (aged 60-70) or a “middle old” (aged 75-85) person. In this episode, Dr. Corinne Auman, an American gerontologist with over 20 years of experience working with older adults, and the author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging, unpacks the word "keenager", how society sees older adults and how we talk to ourselves in our own heads.
She shares her “sparkly shoes” moment that sparked a conversation about internalised ageism — and why even the most aware among us aren't immune to it. She also touches upon practical aspects of how to plan for life after 50, laying out what a retirement reframing playbook might look like. Listen in!
Get to know Corinne: Website [https://corinneauman.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinneauman/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drcorinneauman/] | Book [https://www.amazon.in/Keenagers-Telling-Story-about-Aging-ebook/dp/B0C8KZTNXZ]
Timestamps:
00:36 — Introduction: Anu welcomes Dr. Corinne Auman, gerontologist and author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging
01:21 — The word "keenager" — where it came from and why it matters
03:07 — Internalised ageism: the sparkly shoes story
05:06 — Even anti-ageism advocates carry the script — and that's okay
08:19 — Everyday ageist language we don't notice: "still working," "you look great for your age," and more
10:44 — Preparing for life after 50: why acknowledging change is step one
11:36 — What Corinne sees in her care management practice — and the danger of denial
13:57 — Breaking it down: what to plan for beyond finances (intellectual, social, and spiritual life)
17:28 — The retirement honeymoon — and what happens six months later
18:30 — Why we're living longer but nobody gave us a new playbook
19:22 — Two or three decades of retirement: the math nobody thinks about
21:53 — Relationships and marriage in retirement: the renegotiation nobody warns you about
25:34 — Semi-retirement as a preview — and why hobbies matter more than you think
27:35 — "A new continent rising out of the sea" — the longevity economy and the billion consumers being ignored by marketers
32:25 — Moving beyond the three-stage life model: multiple careers, elder care, and intentional breaks
33:06 — The surprising reality of who needs care coordination — 65-year-olds caring for 90-year-olds
35:28 — Five generations in the workplace: stereotypes, benefits, and what actually works
37:47 — A message for people in their 30s and 40s: how to fight ageism now
39:49 — Young old, middle old, old old — how researchers are trying (and struggling) to categorise aging
41:05 — An AI course story: catching your own ageism mid-sentence
42:24 — Corinne's upcoming second book: How to Be a Keenager
To get in touch, email genseasoned@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Views are personal. Listener discretion is advised.
