Our new audio podcast, Aging is a Trip, has received excellent feedback. Each episode offers a candid yet lighthearted exploration of aging and retirement, blending personal stories with thoughtful discussion.
The first episode features Dr. Keren Wilson, widely recognized as an originator of the modern assisted living concept. Dr. Wilson launched the first assisted living community in the U.S. in the early 1980s and continues to contribute to the field of aging services. Our conversation explored the current state of gerontology and how we deliver care and supports for older adults across the country.
The second episode, titled “I’m an Elder and Darn Proud of It!”, features Dr. Harvey Austin, a noted surgeon and resident of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Connecticut. Dr. Austin is also the author of Elders Rock! Don’t Just Get Older: Become an Elder.
In his book, Dr. Austin defines “Elder” as “a STAGE of life, not an AGE of life,” and argues that Elderhood can be full of aliveness, joy, and creativity — a birthright rather than a decline. His perspective reframes how mindset shapes our experience of aging and offers a first-hand, uplifting account of the possibilities that come with growing older.
>> Related: “Being here feels right”: A Firsthand Account of Moving to a CCRC
The three stages of human life
In this episode, Dr. Austin describes a traditional view of human life in three stages: youth, adult, and Elder — emphasizing that “Elder” is the only stage that merits capitalization. This structure reflected tribal and earlier societal models where multiple generations and strong community ties were central to survival and identity.
He observes that modern life has eroded that three-stage view. With fewer multi-generational households and less daily contact between age groups, societies increasingly collapse into two categories: child and adult. The Elder role — the wise, guiding generation — has been marginalized or lost.
Dr. Austin calls this “The Paradox of Modern Times.” We live two or three times longer than in past centuries, yet we often fail to seek the perspective of elders when confronting technological and social advances. We ask “Can we?” from a technical or experimental viewpoint, but we rarely ask elders “Should we?” to consider long-term, ethical, or communal consequences.
“We now have a world run by adults without Elder supervision,” he says.
>> Related: Introducing Our New Audio Podcast: Aging is a Trip
Becoming an Elder
Dr. Austin and I discussed what it takes to become an Elder. Human beings often resist change; it’s easy to continue life on familiar autopilot, becoming ever more entrenched in adult patterns of thinking and behavior. Becoming “old” happens naturally as bodies and minds age, but becoming an “Elder” requires intention and inner work.
He explains there is no automatic transition into Elderhood. Instead, people often need a catalytic experience — what he calls “a whack up alongside the head” — such as the death of a loved one, loss of a job or home, or a serious illness. Such events can shake someone to the core and present a crossroads: return to the familiar status quo or embrace a deeper, more purposeful stage of life.
Embracing your Elderhood
Reaching Elderhood also requires an internal shift: you must accept the identity of Elder and allow that role to emerge. Becoming more other-centric — focusing on the wellbeing of community and future generations rather than only personal goals — is central to Elderhood. Importantly, this shift can happen at any age.
Dr. Austin stresses the value of humor, a positive outlook, and prioritizing what truly matters. He puts it plainly: “Elders get the joke: We’re here for a while, and then we disappear. What are you going to do while you’re here? You’re either going to do everything to make it wonderful for yourself, or you’re going to start doing some things to make it wonderful for others.”
>> Related: Positive Aging: Changing Your Mindset About Growing Older
How to access our audio podcast
The conversation with Dr. Austin stands out as one of the most meaningful I’ve had about aging. While “elderly” can carry negative connotations, engaging with perspectives like Dr. Austin’s helped me reclaim “Elder” as a positive, dignified stage of life with unique contributions to offer society.
I hope you’ll listen to this episode and consider Dr. Austin’s insights on mindset, purpose, and the role of elders in community life. You can subscribe and listen to the podcast through the following channels:
- YouTube: Visit our channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDk2aIqv0q2AfwXCXy3eFTw/.
- Podomatic: Find the show at https://aging-is-a-trip.podomatic.com.
Please consider subscribing, liking, and sharing episodes if you enjoy the content. Your feedback helps shape future conversations and supports our mission to explore aging with honesty, humor, and humanity.