Abundant Aging

Art of Aging: The Lightbulb Moment: When People Finally ‘Get’ Reframing Ageism

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins talks with Hannah Albers, Director of Program Development at the National Center to Reframe Aging, about how language shapes our understanding of aging and drives policy, programs, and everyday interactions. Hannah shares her journey into aging services, the impact of mentors and age-diverse teams, and her own experiences with internalized ageism and “owning” her age. They trace how the reframing aging movement has evolved since 2015, moving from marketing and communications into direct practice and cross-sector work, and discuss the tension between using common search terms like “senior citizen” and striving to change the broader culture. Key takeaways include the power of small shifts in language, the importance of inviting people into the work rather than calling them out, the need to engage sectors beyond traditional aging services, and the value of personal reflection in confronting ageism at every stage of life. Highlights from this week’s conversation include: * Welcome to Today’s Episode with Janice Hannah Albers (0:26) * What the National Center to Reframe Aging Is and What It Does (2:35) * Learning Patience in Systems Change (4:29) * Working on Age Diverse Teams and Confronting Internalized Ageism (7:18) * How Reframing Aging Research and Language Have Evolved Since 2015 (11:39) * Balancing Culture Change With SEO and Public Messaging on Aging (15:40) * Moving Beyond Aging Services to Engage Age Adjacent Sectors (19:23) * Light Bulb Moments, Personal Reflection, and Small Shifts With Big Impact (24:00) * Hope for the Future of Aging, Longer Lives, and Practical First Steps (32:47) * Hannah’s Personal Reflections on Her Own Aging and Inspiring Role Models (36:50) * How to Access Reframing Aging Resources and Stay Connected (39:23) Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com [https://abundantagingpodcast.com/].  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Art of Aging: Brains, Balance, and Belonging: The New Science of Aging Well

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins speaks with psychologist and author Dr. Janis Clark Johnston about redefining retirement as a time of growth, creativity, and purpose rather than decline. They discuss how major life transitions like moving or leaving a career can stimulate the brain, the role of daily mindfulness and meditation in emotional resilience, and Dr. Johnston’s concept of a “psychological portfolio” that includes personality, reflection, exercise, and creativity. The conversation explores grief over the loss of professional identity, differences in how men and women experience retirement, and the importance of asking, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Key takeaways include embracing a growth and grit mindset, letting go of old roles, staying socially connected, and seeing later life as a season for reinvention, learning, and contributing in new ways. Highlights from this week’s conversation include: * Welcome to Today’s Episode with Janice Clark Johnston (0:36) * Moving, Transitions, and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone (3:26)   * Mindful Reflection Group and Daily Meditation Practice (6:36)   * Psychological Portfolio and Personality in Later Life (10:16)   * Grieving the Loss of Professional Identity in Retirement (13:43)   * How Men and Women Experience Retirement Differently (17:01)   * “What Would You Do if You Knew You Could Not Fail?” and New Pursuits (20:58)   * Letting Go, Mindset, and Growth in Retirement (24:28)   * Grit, Health Challenges, and Physical Therapy (28:25)   * Shifting from Psychologist to Author and Writing What You Know (31:45)   * Aging, Falls, Balance, and Crystallized Intelligence (35:16)   * Creativity, Poetry, and Her Mother’s Legacy of Abundant Aging (37:18)   Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com [https://abundantagingpodcast.com/].  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Art of Aging: Gratitude, Lament, and Calling: the Spiritual Work of Growing Older

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Elizabeth (Beth) Boyd, PhD. and Rev. Susan Walker, co-creators of the Path Ahead: Spirituality and Purpose in Later Life, a curriculum that helps older adults explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of aging. They share how the program grew from concerns that older church members felt invisible, into a facilitator training now used across the U.S. and beyond. The conversation covers ageism in congregations, reframing retirement and later life as a season of calling and legacy, and the importance of practices like contemplation, gratitude, resilience, and lament. Listeners are invited to see aging as a spiritually rich, ongoing journey where both serving others and learning to receive care are meaningful callings. Don’t miss this great conversation! Highlights from this week’s conversation include: * Welcome to Today’s Episode with Beth and Susan (0:36) * How the Path Ahead Curriculum First Emerged (2:22) * From Local Trainings To Online International Reach (4:00) * Naming Ageism Older Adults Feeling Invisible in Church (5:22) * Spirituality Versus Ageism the Inner Life of Aging (7:55) * Slowing Down, Anxiety, Learning to Breathe, Be Present (11:01) * Gratitude, Resilience, Reframing Daily Attitudes (12:49) * Discovering Lament as a Personal Communal Prayer Practice (14:14) * Calling, Retirement Language, “What Is Mine To Do” Now (16:31) * Purpose of the Oldest Old Receiving Care as a Sacred Calling (19:17) * Legacy, Harvest Years, the Quiet Power of Older Elders (21:53) * Contemplative Practices as the Backbone of the Path Ahead (23:28) * How Groups Continue After the Course (27:05) * Personal Freedom, Second Naivete, Spiritual Maturity in Aging (30:51) * Role Models, Inspirations, Aging Abundantly By Example (35:55) Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com [https://abundantagingpodcast.com/]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Art of Aging: 10 Million Moments of Joy: Transforming Elder Care with TimeSlips

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Anne Basting, writer, artist, and founder of TimeSlips, to discuss the transformative power of creativity and storytelling in dementia and elder care. Topics include the development and impact of TimeSlips, the emotional and social importance of creative engagement for both caregivers and those living with dementia, how Memory Cafes build supportive communities, and the launch of the inspiring “10 Million Moments of Connection” initiative. Listeners will gain key insights into fostering dignity and connection, imaginative and community-based approaches, and so much more.  Highlights from this week’s conversation include: * Welcome to Today’s Episode with Anne Basting (0:36) * Anne Shares What Inspired Her Creative Path (3:02) * How TimeSlips Emerged in Dementia Care (6:13) * Shifting Caregivers’ Mindsets on Identity (9:51) * The Ongoing Growth Possible in Later Life (13:04) * The Power of Creativity for Caregivers (15:27) * Creativity and Spirituality in Caregiving (17:30) * Practicing Curiosity, Humility, and Awe (18:21) * Challenging Assumptions in Dementia Care (21:59) * Being Present and Letting Go of Rigid Patterns (22:38) * The Role and Setup of Memory Cafes (24:33) * The Concept of Respite Together at Memory Cafes (28:01) * 10 Million Moments of Connection Initiative (30:17) * Key Practices for Caregivers: Asking Beautiful Questions (35:28) * Anne’s Personal Reflections on Her Own Aging (37:01) * Anne’s Inspirations from Others Aging Abundantly (40:00) * Conclusion and Where to Connect with Anne (42:22) Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. [https://abundantagingpodcast.com/] . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Art of Aging: Living Lessons from 2025: Abundant Aging, Resilience, and Joy

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins and Ashley Bills highlight lessons learned from a year of podcasts with guests who share unique perspectives on dementia, inclusivity, faith, community involvement, and overcoming fears. Listeners will discover inspiring stories of personal growth, the importance of compassionate support for all older adults, and key takeaways on embracing change, staying curious, and fostering purposeful connections as we age. Don’t miss this look back at some of the top moments from the year of the podcast. Highlights from this week’s conversation include: * Introduction and setting the theme of aging conversations (0:00) * Metaphor of older adults as resilient weeds (3:02) * The idea of being master climbers and challenging "over the hill" (6:06) * Turning fear into curiosity: approaching dementia and death (9:00) * Personalized approaches to aging, “walking span,” and generational myths (12:46) * Challenging generational assumptions and early life choices about aging (15:14) * Creativity and Constraints: Green Eggs and Ham Hypothesis (18:06) * Guests’ surprises about their own aging and creative new beginnings (21:14) * LGBTQ+ elders and meaningful inclusivity in later life (24:46) * Embracing physical changes and self-acceptance with age (27:14) * Generational connections and finding purpose while aging (30:03) * Shifting from consumer to citizen and increasing life engagement (33:08) * The power of faith, community, and unexpected achievements as we age (36:00) Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com [https://abundantagingpodcast.com/].  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.