This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Margaret McDonald, an award-winning writer and pro-aging advocate. During the conversation, Margaret shares her passionate journey combating ageism through language, art, and personal experience. She discusses how her own workplace challenges in her late 40s sparked her advocacy, highlighting the pervasive and often subtle ways ageism manifests in everyday conversations, media, and cultural attitudes. Margaret’s work includes a daily blog writing 100-word essays on everyday ageism and creating the "Aging is Living" yard signs and artwork to challenge negative stereotypes about growing older. Key takeaways include the importance of recognizing and challenging ageist language, understanding that aging is a natural, dynamic process of continued growth and self-discovery, the need to shift cultural narratives that diminish or mock older adults, and so much more. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Margaret’s Journey into Aging Advocacy (1:41)
• Discovering Ageism Resources and Community (2:29)
• The Power of Language and Everyday Ageism (5:11)
• Writing 100 Words on Everyday Ageism (7:28)
• Why Words Matter: Research and Cultural Shifts (9:24)
• Changing Language and Cultural Perceptions (12:31)
• Generational Differences and Awkward Moments (16:09)
• Advocating for Better Representation in Media (20:10)
• Encouraging Others to Track Ageist References (23:08)
• Spreading Positive Aging Messages (26:41)
• Imagining a Future Without Ageism (29:13)
• Where to Find Margaret and Her Work (32:21)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (36:59)

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.