People I (Mostly) Admire

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131. Getting Old, Adventurously

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May 11, 2024

Guest

Caroline Paul

Caroline Paul, an adventurous author and former firefighter, shares her exhilarating life experiences from battling fires to wing walking. She passionately encourages women to embrace adventure as they age, discussing how life can still be thrilling and meaningful. The conversation explores the emotional toll of her firefighting career, the positive impacts of connection with nature, and the need to redefine aging narratives. With humor and insight, Caroline emphasizes that adventure can range from extreme feats to the simple awe of birdwatching.

52:58

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Searching for Bodies

As a San Francisco firefighter, Caroline Paul's rescue squad searched for bodies in the murky bay.
She describes the unsettling experience of feeling for corpses amongst debris, with crabs crawling on her wetsuit.

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ANECDOTE

Becoming a Firefighter

Caroline Paul, a Stanford graduate and vegetarian, became a firefighter incidentally after investigating sexism.
She initially deferred her position to go on an adventure in Bolivia.

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ANECDOTE

Facing Fear in Fire

While fighting a fire, Caroline Paul briefly hesitated before re-entering a dangerous hallway.
This moment of fear, though fleeting, taught her about her own limits.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Into the Depths: A Firefighter's Journey

01:41 • 4min

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From Journalist to Firefighter: A Journey of Courage

05:50 • 16min

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From Crashes to Creativity: A Journey of Life Choices

21:26 • 6min

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Challenging Aging Narratives

27:01 • 14min

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Aging, Adventure, and the Search for Courage

Parenting, Awe, and Podcast Evolution

50:48 • 8min

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#7766

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Lost cat

Caroline Paul

Caroline Paul's 'Lost Cat' is a heartfelt and humorous memoir about her cat Tibia's disappearance and subsequent return. The book follows Caroline and her partner Wendy MacNaughton as they use various methods to uncover Tibia's secret life. It explores themes of love, obsession, and the bond between humans and pets.

#8539

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Tough Broad

From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking—How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age

Caroline Paul

In 'Tough Broad,' Caroline Paul delves into the reasons why women are often discouraged from adventuring as they age and challenges this societal norm. The book is divided into four sections: Spirit, Body, Brain, and Heart, and features stories of women engaging in various outdoor activities such as boogie boarding, wing walking, scuba diving, and birdwatching. Paul combines personal anecdotes with scientific research to highlight the physical and emotional benefits of outdoor adventures for women in their older years, showing that aging is no barrier to a dynamic and fulfilling life.

#16165

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Fighting fire

Caroline Paul

Caroline Paul's memoir, 'Fighting Fire', offers a unique perspective on her experiences as one of the first women to join the San Francisco Fire Department. The book explores her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and her growth in a male-dominated profession. It provides insights into the life of a metropolitan firefighter and Paul's own path of self-discovery.

#12893

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The gutsy girl

Caroline Paul

In The Gutsy Girl, Caroline Paul shares her own adventures and those of other girls and women from throughout history to inspire a new generation. The book is filled with activities, Wendy MacNaughton's illustrations, and practical advice on planning adventures, goal setting, and risk-taking. It encourages girls to develop a zest for challenges and a healthy relationship to risk, making it a modern manifesto for bravery, perseverance, and breaking the tyranny of perfection.

#1985

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Between Two Kingdoms

A Memoir of a Life Interrupted

Suleika Jaouad

In 'Between Two Kingdoms,' Suleika Jaouad recounts her life-altering experience with acute myeloid leukemia. Diagnosed at 22, she undergoes extensive treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. The book is divided into two main parts: her time in the 'kingdom of the sick' and her journey back to the 'kingdom of the well. ' After recovery, Jaouad embarks on a 100-day, 15,000-mile road trip across the country to meet people who supported her during her illness. The memoir explores themes of survivorship, identity, and the challenges of reentering the world after a life-threatening illness.

#286

• Mentioned in 56 episodes

The Extended Mind

The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain

Annie Murphy Paul

In 'The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain,' Annie Murphy Paul argues that our minds are not confined to the brain but extend into our bodies, surroundings, and social relationships. The book explores embodied, situated, and distributed cognition, providing practical advice on how to think better by utilizing 'extra-neural' resources such as bodily sensations, physical spaces, and the minds of others. Paul draws on research from neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists, as well as examples from artists, scientists, and leaders who have successfully used these mental extensions to solve problems and create new works.

Caroline Paul is a thrill-seeker and writer who is on a quest to encourage women to get outside and embrace adventure as they age. She and Steve talk about fighting fires, walking on airplane wings, and finding awe in birdwatching.

SOURCE:
- Caroline Paul, author and former firefighter.

RESOURCES:
- Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking ― How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age, by Caroline Paul (2024).
- "FAA Halts Sequim Wing-Walking Flights, Revokes Owner’s Pilot License," by Dominic Gates (The Seattle Times, 2024).
- "How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health," by Hope Reese (The New York Times, 2023).
- The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure, by Caroline Paul (2016).
- "Why Do We Teach Girls That It’s Cute to Be Scared?" by Caroline Paul (The New York Times, 2016).
- "What if Age Is Nothing but a Mind-Set?" by Bruce Grierson (The New York Times Magazine, 2014).
- Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology, by Caroline Paul (2013).
- "The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature," by Marc G. Berman, John Jonides, and Stephen Kaplan (Psychological Science, 2008).
- "Longevity Increased by Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging," by Becca R. Levy, Martin D. Slade, Suzanne R. Kunkel, and Stanislav V. Kasl (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2002).
- Fighting Fire, by Caroline Paul (1998).

EXTRAS:
- "Is Fear Running Your Life?" by No Stupid Questions (2024).
- "Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Some Advice for You," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).
- "Should You Spend More Time in Nature?" by No Stupid Questions (2023).
- "Steven Pinker: 'I Manage My Controversy Portfolio Carefully,'" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2020).

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