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.

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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.

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 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.

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