Why Aging Became a Dirty Word and How to Reclaim It - Karen Walrond

As a child, I counted the days until my next birthday. Most of us did, tired of hearing “you’re not old enough to do that.”

Then we hit a certain age, and all we want to do is roll back the clock. Pursue youth at all costs.

Why is that?

Who decided that young is good and old is bad? Why have we internalized it to our own detriment? And how do we reclaim aging as a positive force in our lives?

My guest this week answers those questions and more in her brilliant new book, Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell.“ And she does it based on research.

A Familiar Voice

Karen Walrond is familiar to the Our Voices Matter community. The attorney turned leadership coach, turned activist and author has helped thousands around the world find purpose and meaning in their lives.

She has shared her insight and wisdom on Brené Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast, on the Oprah Winfrey Show , PBS, the Huffington Post and CNN.com.

And lucky us, she has graced Our Voices Matter with her penetrating perspective in previous episodes where we discussed her book, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto: How to Work for Change without Losing Your Joy.

And another episode when her daughter, Alex, joined us in conversation.

And now, this episode. Like a parent who is asked “which child is your favorite”, I’d give the safe answer – I love them all equally. But truth be told — this one is my favorite.

Liberating

I found this conversation — and her book — to be liberating.

When you listen, you’ll understand what I mean.

Ageism is real. It permeates every aspect of our lives, forcing others’s unwanted perspectives on our value as humans. And there’s a special brand of this reserved for women.

Well, I don’t know about you but I’ve had it. I’m done.

I am reclaiming my aging.

I urge you to do the same.

Because our broken world needs all that each of us has to give, and that capacity doesn’t end when we hit the arbitrary age of 65.

Indeed, for many of us, it’s just beginning.

Would love to know how you feel about this topic. Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and share your thoughts.

I can’t wait to continue this conversation with you.

www.ourvoicesmatterpodcast.com
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This podcast is devoted to empowering us all to better understand each other's differences...one story at a time.  Emmy Award-winning journalist, Linda Lorelle, guides guests through insightful, unexpected conversations that reveal our common humanity.  This show is not about politics per se; it is about finding a way to reclaim civility in the context of the contentious times in which we live, by sharing our personal and professional stories, in hopes that others might find a glimpse of themselves.