This week on The Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins talks with educator and intergenerational innovator Lauren Feyh about her journey from CNA to licensed nursing home administrator, instructor at Ohio State, and co-founder of the nonprofit GrowIN. They explore what truly makes an intergenerational (IG) program—intentional, mutual relationships rather than one-sided “entertainment”—and discuss initiatives like Grow In, Arise, and Age Up that address loneliness, build community, and prepare a more age-informed workforce. Lauren shares insights from Ohio State’s Program 60 Plus on the importance of lifelong learning, challenges common misconceptions and ageism around what aging looks like, and explains how intergenerational strategies can benefit both older and younger people, who also face high levels of isolation. She also reflects on her doctoral work in higher education, parenting a young child, and how being intentional about relationships across generations can shape healthier, more age-friendly communities.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Lauren’s Path From Grandparents to Gerontology and CNA Work (2:00)
• How Hands-On Caregiving Shapes Lauren’s Teaching Approach (4:30)
• What Makes True Intergenerational Programming and Why It Matters Now (5:38)
• Why “Entertaining Seniors” Is Not Real Intergenerational Service (10:22)
• Lifelong Learning After 60 and Ohio State’s Program 60 Plus (13:30)
• Connecting Doctoral Work in Higher Education to Aging and Workforce Needs (16:11)
• Launching Chirp and Bridging Research and Real-World IG Practice (19:31)
• How Arise Was Created and What It Reveals About Storytelling and Community (22:18)
• Misconceptions About Aging, Healthcare, and What “Normal” Aging Looks Like (29:11)
• Age Up, Workforce Development, and Training a More Age-Ready Workforce (31:37)
• One Thing Listeners Can Do Today to Build Cross-Generational Connections (38:22)
• How to Connect With Lauren and Learn More About Grow In (39:22)
• Lauren’s Reflections on Her Own Aging, Doctoral Journey, and Role Models (40:38)
• Closing Reflections on Resilience, Optimism, and Aging Abundantly (44:04)

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.

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This week on The Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins talks with Eddie Gonzalez, an Impact Fellow at CoGenerate and a former hospice chaplain, about how storytelling, spirituality, and intergenerational relationships shape our lives and faith communities. Eddie shares his journey from business student to journalist, creative writer, and chaplain, and how growing up in a multigenerational household formed his reverence for elders, spiritual life, and shared meals. They explore why intergenerational connection is a “superpower” of faith communities that is often underused, the challenges of age segregation and power dynamics in religious spaces, and how intentional co-creation across generations can transform communities. Drawing on Cogenerate’s Honest Conversation Project and related reports, Eddie highlights the deep hunger across ages to be seen, heard, and taken seriously, and emphasizes moving from mere proximity to shared purpose, from outreach to genuine co-creation, as a key mindset shift for building thriving, intergenerational spiritual communities.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Eddie’s Unexpected Journey From Business to Journalism and Chaplaincy (1:56)
• Growing Up in a Multigenerational Household and Its Lasting Impact (4:56)
• Dinner Table Stories, Laughter, and Being Truly Seen and Heard (6:40)
• Introducing CoGenerate and the Honest Conversation Project (9:20)
• Why Intergenerational Relationships Are a Faith Community Superpower (10:08)
• Power, Authority, and Age Segregation Challenges in Faith Communities (13:09)
• Proximity vs Purpose and What Really Builds Intergenerational Bonds (22:15)
• What Different Generations Want Each Other to Know (24:39)
• Scripture, Storytelling, and Everyone as a Teacher Across Generations (28:59)
• Moving From Outreach to Co-Creation as a New Mindset for Churches (32:18)
• Eddie’s Reflections on His Own Aging, Growth, and Inspirations (35:10)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (38:13)

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins talks with Dr. Shannon Jarrott, a social work professor and intergenerational programming expert at Ohio State University, about how intentional connections between younger and older people improve health, well-being, and communities. They explore Shannon’s personal path into intergenerational work, how these relationships can combat ageism and reshape our expectations of aging, and why dementia and other serious symptoms should never be dismissed as “just getting old.” The conversation covers designing age-inclusive spaces, from playgrounds and churches to workplaces, the importance of preparing staff and participants for intergenerational programs, and seeing intergenerational work not as a one-off activity but as a strategy to advance an organization’s mission. Shannon also reflects on her own aging, the creation of a new Center for Intergenerational Research and Practice, and the need to balance meaningful work with having fun and aging abundantly.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Welcoming Dr. Shannon Jarrott to the Show (0:37)
• From Dementia Caregiving Research to Intergenerational Programs (5:01)
• What Counts as Intergenerational and Rethinking Age Group Boundaries (7:01)
• Dementia and Why Symptoms Should Never Be Dismissed (11:45)
• Orientation for Aging and Teaching Young Adults to Plan for Late Life (13:38)
• Making Everyday Places More Age-Friendly and Accessible for All (17:51)
• Designing Architecturally Welcoming Intergenerational Spaces and Programs (18:07)
• Structuring Rooms and Cues to Encourage Real Intergenerational Interaction (22:14)
• Talking About Ageism With Young and Older People Together (27:31)
• Preview of the 2026 Intergenerational Symposium and Four Key Strategies (29:38)
• Intergenerational Work as a Strategy to Advance Mission, Not Just a Program (35:37)
• Role Models for Working Longer, Mentoring, and Enjoying Life at Older Ages (38:31)
• Creating a Center for Intergenerational Research and Practice and Its Vision (41:24)
• Where to Find Shannon Online and Final Blessing for Aging Abundantly (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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.