Ken Dychtwald - Upsides of Aging and Aging Gracefully

Ken Dychtwald has acquired much wisdom on aging over the years so we began by exploring the upside of aging. He spoke of major historical changes in life expectancy and general attitudes toward aging. From there we discussed the central importance of purpose and the distinction New York Times columnist David Brooks has made between a career resume and a eulogy resume. Ken then followed with thoughts on the uses of free time and the importance of altruism, which can add years to one's life. He then spoke of retirement and his award winning Harvard Business Review article on retiring. He also had a number of significant observations on the American health care system, including ways AI might be used productively. He talked about how and why he became an expert on aging and ways that marketing and ads have changed to include older people, as well as how overall stereotypes tied to aging have morphed. We concluded discussing the X Prize Foundation (Ken is a trustee), and its commitment to finding ways to match health span to life span as well as the importance of humor (Your host even told a joke) and youthful versus useful. Conversations can often turn to the unexpected and this one did -- to Beyonce, Taylor Swift, TikTok and aging tied to Biden and Trump. Overall, a rich, energetic and highly illuminating dialogue!