Your Longest Life

In this episode of Your Longest Life podcast, host Ian Thompson interviews Meg Selig, author of Silver Sparks ~ Thoughts on Growing Older, Wiser, and Happier. Meg wrote this book during the pandemic and was shocked to learn that people are happier as they age. She asks do you have FOGO? Fear of getting older?

Well in this episode Meg and I chat about the new definitions of ‘What Old is’, ‘How Old is Old’ and all the ‘Good News about Aging’. We unravel the narrative of what we have been taught all these years and talk about re-telling the story of getting older.

Ian Thompson host to “Your longest life” is joined by Erin a death doula. What is a death doula? It is someone who helps you with the dying process much like a midwife or doula does with the birthing process. They aim to help families cope with death through recognizing it as a natural and important part of life. It can also include advanced care planning, end of life planning, grief support and anything in between and beyond. Erin is very compassionate, empathetic, an active listener and her goal is to make you as comfortable as you can be with the process of death. Erin’s goal is that her clients be surrounded by love and comfort as they cross over. She will work together with you to plan the best environment for your final days. She says, “some things may be out of our control but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it meaningful and sacred.” She is open to any and all ideas as long as you are both safe. The service would also include companionship and sitting vigil for you during your final days.

Are you or a parent considering downsizing? It's a big topic for Boomers and their parents, with the reasons being: health considerations, financial situations, moving closer to family and the desire to minimize. Regardless of the reason, the amount of boomers that are downsizing is growing. Join Ian, host to Your longest Life and Kirsten Reed Edens, content and branding expert for business and the founder of Managing Midlife as they discuss Downsizing - 7 Tips to simplify the process.

When it comes to aging we don't really like to talk about it. Join Ian and Lisa Rill, PHD executive director of Senior life source as they discuss becoming better, confident advocates for themselves and their loved ones. Mindset is so important as you age and being able to talk about it, and have the knowledge and resources to make informed and important decisions about desired care in later life is crucial.

One of the biggest decisions in a senior's life is whether or not to make the move to a retirement home. And if so, what type of community will fit their needs best. In this episode of Your Longest Life, Kerry Pearce and I dive into these questions, and more. Kerry's insights as the Community Sales Director of Long Lake Chateau are top notch, and she helps guide us through the decision making process.

Have you ever taken the time to think about what type of legacy you want to leave? Richard O. Weijo, author of Remember Me: Creating and Leaving an Inspiring and Memorable Legacy, joins me in a conversation about reimaging what a legacy is. And now, more than ever, people have the time to really think about the gifts they want to give the future.

On this episode of Your Longest Life, Ian speaks with Mike Drak. Mike is a thirty-eight-year veteran of the financial-services industry, and is referred to as a retirement lifestyle designer. We speak about his book, Retirement Heaven or Hell: 9 Principles for Designing Your Ideal Post-Career Lifestyle, and how living longer is presenting new issues than those of the past.

Your Longest Life is wrapping up 2020 by speaking with Barbara O'Neill about everything from retirement to COVID-19. This year has brought about many changes, and together we are learning how to live more comfortably. Barbara shares the similarities between her recent book, Flipping a Switch: Your Guide to Happiness and Financial Security in Later Life, and events from this past year.

Everyone knows that diet and exercise are good for your health. But most do not know that social interaction is also incredibly important in living a long, and healthy life. Great family to supportive friends to a romantic relationship. All positively impact your health, and lowers morality risks. In this episode Marta Zaraska, a science journalist and author of Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100, guides us through her research into the idea of living longer.

Aging at home is the goal for many seniors. The comforts and familiarities, that you have spent years cultivating, is where aging would feel best. Karen Henderson, from Long Term Care Planning Network, is an expert at working with individuals and families to find the best solution for long term care. Each situation is different, as there are many factors that play into the decision. Making the right decision is the top priority for everyone involved.