The Aging Well Podcast

What happens when someone who has spent more than four decades studying, managing, and serving older adults suddenly finds himself on the other side of the equation—as the consumer of aging services?For gerontologist and retired aging-services CEO Tom Stofac, that transition has provided a very different perspective on what it means to grow older. In his book Embracing Aging: A Gerontologist's Journey from Provider to Consumer, Stofac reflects on the shift from professionally understanding aging to personally experiencing it.In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Tom and Dr. Jeff Armstrong explore what changes when we stop thinking about aging as something to manage and begin experiencing it as something to inhabit. They discuss the importance of perspective, choice, dignity, independence, partnership, and personal agency—and why the language and assumptions surrounding aging can profoundly influence how we experience it.Most importantly, this conversation asks a fundamental question: What does it mean to embrace aging rather than simply endure it?Learn more at https://peaceinthejourneypress.com/Please, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastThrive25 | Your personal longevity advisor | https://www.thrive25.com/early-access?via=william-jeffreyFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

Aging well isn't only about staying healthy enough to enjoy retirement. It's also about navigating the systems that can have a profound impact on our financial security, independence, and peace of mind.For millions of Americans, Medicare is one of the most important—and confusing—transitions associated with turning 65. The consequences of making the wrong decision can extend well beyond paperwork, potentially affecting healthcare costs and coverage for years to come. And for someone navigating the process alone after the loss of a spouse, the decisions can feel particularly overwhelming.In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong talks with Ryan George, founder of Part ABC and creator of the Medicare Daddy YouTube channel. Ryan's philosophy is simple: Medicare should be taught, not sold. He helps people understand the system in plain language, including some of the costly mistakes that are easy to make when Medicare intersects with employer coverage, COBRA, HSAs, and retirement.The conversation explores why Medicare belongs in a broader conversation about aging well, the emotional and social dimensions of healthcare decisions, and what people approaching Medicare eligibility should understand before they have to make important choices under pressure.Learn more at https://www.needpartabc.com/Please, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

What if aging well has less to do with adding more to our lives and more to do with returning to the simple practices that help us feel present, connected, and cared for?Nuttha Goutier, founder of Sabai Thai Spa, has spent nearly two decades bringing traditional Thai wellness practices to Canada. Drawing on the lessons of her upbringing in rural Thailand, Nuttha offers a perspective on wellness rooted not in complicated routines, but in simple rituals of self-care, presence, touch, rest, and human connection.In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, we explore what Western culture might learn from traditional Thai approaches to well-being and how small, intentional practices can help us manage stress, reconnect with ourselves and others, and cultivate greater balance as we age.Learn more at https://sabaithai.com/Please, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastL-Nutra Health | The medical division of L-Nutra, focused on helping people manage and potentially reverse chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity, using personalized, lifestyle-based programs grounded in evidence, not prescriptions. | Use this link: https://l-nutrahealth.com/theagingwellpodcastThrive25 | Your personal longevity advisor | https://www.thrive25.com/early-access?via=william-jeffreyFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

Why do we sometimes continue repeating the same patterns—even when we consciously know they aren't serving us?We may understand our habits intellectually, journal about them, talk about them in therapy, and read countless books about personal growth. Yet some patterns seem remarkably resistant to change. Rochelle L. Cook, MA, CHt, argues that part of the answer lies beneath conscious awareness, in the subconscious patterns shaped by our experiences and reinforced over time.In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong talks with Rochelle about emotional healing, relationship patterns, and the role of the subconscious mind in personal growth. With more than 20 years of experience as a clinical hypnotherapist and co-founder of Joymind, Rochelle explores why insight alone doesn't always produce lasting change and how bringing subconscious patterns into awareness can open new possibilities.The conversation also considers an important dimension of aging well: the opportunity to become increasingly aware of the emotional patterns we carry through life—and to consciously choose which ones we want to continue carrying forward.Learn more at https://joymind.com/agingwellPlease, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastThrive25 | Your personal longevity advisor | https://www.thrive25.com/early-access?via=william-jeffreyFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

What if optimism isn't simply a personality trait, but a meaningful component of healthy aging?As we grow older, we inevitably encounter challenges that can test our physical health, emotional resilience, relationships, and sense of purpose. Yet research increasingly suggests that how we think about aging—and how we respond to life's challenges—may influence how well we actually age.In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong talks with bestselling author John Trauth about the relationship between optimism, healthy habits, resilience, and longevity. Drawing from his new book, Maintaining Optimism While Aging: How to Live Happily Ever After and Make Your Ever After Last Even Longer, John makes the case that a consciously cultivated positive mindset can become an important part of an individual's approach to health and longevity.They explore what optimism really means, how our beliefs about aging can shape our behavior and potentially our health, and why maintaining a positive outlook doesn't mean ignoring the very real challenges that accompany getting older. They also discuss the idea of creating your own personal "Blue Zone" by building daily habits and an environment that support vitality and well-being.Learn more at https://johntrauth.com/Please, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

What if aging well is less about preparing for some future version of life and more about fully inhabiting the life we have today?Debbie Hunt, a retired clinical social worker, Air Force veteran, and author of Unlikely Hero, joins The Aging Well Podcast to explore resilience, grief, purpose, and the importance of not postponing the life we want to live. Drawing from her professional experience and her novel’s story of a woman rebuilding her life after sudden loss, Debbie offers a powerful perspective on what it means to move forward when life doesn't unfold as planned.Her “Tomorrow Isn’t Guaranteed” message invites us to reconsider how we respond to loss, change, and uncertainty—and how relationships, including intergenerational connections and the human-animal bond, can help us remain engaged with life.This conversation is ultimately about more than coping with aging. It is about choosing to live with intention, connection, and purpose while we still can.Learn more at https://debrahunt.com/Please, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastThrive25 | Your personal longevity advisor | https://www.thrive25.com/early-access?via=william-jeffreyFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

GLP-1 medications have changed the conversation around weight loss, appetite, and obesity—but they have also raised important questions about nutrition, muscle health, and what it really means to live well.In this episode, Dr. Jeff Armstrong and co-host Corbin Bruton discuss the science behind GLP-1 medications, the concept of "food noise," and why reducing appetite doesn't automatically create healthy habits. They explore the importance of resistance training, adequate protein intake, and cultivating a lifelong relationship with food that supports both health and human flourishing.Please, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastL-Nutra Health | The medical division of L-Nutra, focused on helping people manage and potentially reverse chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity, using personalized, lifestyle-based programs grounded in evidence, not prescriptions. | Use this link: https://l-nutrahealth.com/theagingwellpodcastThrive25 | Your personal longevity advisor | https://www.thrive25.com/early-access?via=william-jeffreyFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

What does it mean to grow older in a culture that often treats aging as something to resist? What happens when we begin to see elderhood not simply as a period of decline, but as an unexpected new chapter filled with opportunities for reflection, reinvention, humor, and growth?In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, we welcome actress and playwright Kathryn Grody to discuss her one-woman show, The Unexpected 3rd: A Radical, Rollicking Rumination on the Optimism of Staying Alive. Written and performed by Grody and presented as part of George Street Playhouse’s 2026–27 season, the production explores the surprises, contradictions, challenges, and possibilities of entering elderhood.Drawing on her career in theater and her own reflections on growing older, Kathryn invites us to consider how aging changes our sense of identity, our relationships, and our understanding of what makes life meaningful. We’ll explore the role of humor in navigating life's transitions, the tension between cultural expectations and personal experience, and the possibility of approaching later life with curiosity rather than fear.Our conversation will also consider a central question in transformative aging: How do we continue becoming who we are, even as our bodies, circumstances, and priorities change? Join us for a thoughtful and spirited exploration of elderhood, creativity, and the radical optimism of staying alive.Please, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OCariSpray | Hydroxyapatite Oral Spray | Subscribe and save. Use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://www.carispray.com?sca_ref=12537607.Vpi3sJfipuxLBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8Zr

What if some of the limitations we associate with aging are not inevitable consequences of getting older, but expectations we have learned to accept?In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores with physical therapist and neuroplasticity expert Dr. Mike Studer how our beliefs about aging can influence the way we behave, the choices we make, and ultimately the outcomes we experience. From assumptions about older drivers and runners to expectations about independence, exercise, and physical capability, the beliefs we hold about aging can quietly become self-fulfilling.Dr. Studer shares his framework of Autonomy, Belief, and Choice—the ABCs of decision-making in wellness and healthcare. Autonomy gives us the space and freedom to choose, belief allows us to gather information and form an opinion, and choice enables us to commit to a direction that is consistent with what we believe.The conversation examines the difference between doing something because we have to and choosing it for ourselves, the relationship between belief and the placebo effect, and why the same stressor can be experienced very differently depending on whether we perceive ourselves as having agency.Ultimately, this is a conversation about whether aging well begins not simply with what we do, but with what we believe is possible—and whether we believe we still have the autonomy to choose it.Learn more and connect with Mike at:email: [email protected]: www.mikestuder.comInstagram and YouTube: @mikestuderdptPlease, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL

Strength training is one of the most powerful tools we have for maintaining muscle, strength, metabolic health, and physical independence as we age. But is strength alone enough?In this episode of The Aging Well Podcast, Dr. Jeff Armstrong talks with Dean Pohlman, founder of Man Flow Yoga and a leading voice in mobility-focused fitness for men. Dean has spent more than a decade helping men improve mobility, reduce pain, move better, and maintain physical capability as they age.Dean argues that mobility is the missing half of strength training. While men may become stronger and more muscular as they approach 50, 60, and beyond, they can simultaneously become tighter, less mobile, and increasingly vulnerable to injury. The result can be a frustrating paradox: becoming physically stronger while gradually losing the ability to move freely and confidently.They explore the difference between mobility and flexibility, why stretching alone may not be enough, the movement limitations Dean commonly sees in men over 40, and how active mobility can complement strength training. Most importantly, they discuss practical ways men can preserve movement capacity and physical independence throughout the aging process.Learn more at https://manflowyoga.com/Instagram @manflowyogaPlease, support The Aging Well Podcast by hitting the ‘like’ button, subscribing/following the podcast, sharing with a friend, and….Tip Jar! All donations support this podcast to keep it going. https://paypal.me/theagingwellpodcastBUY the products you need to… age well from our trusted affiliates and support the mission of The Aging Well Podcast. (We receive commission on these purchases. Thank you.)The Aging Well Podcast merchandise | Show how you are aging well | Use the promo code AGING WELL for free shipping on orders over $75 | https://theagingwellpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AGINGWELLAuro Wellness | Glutaryl—Antioxidant spray that delivers high doses of glutathione (“Master Antioxidant”) and the new Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) | 10% off Code: AGINGWELL at https://aurowellness.com/agingwellpodcastNutritional Biochemical Inc. (NBI) | Trusted supplement. NBI stands 100% behind the quality of their formulations and the science on which they’re based. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://shop.nbihealth.com/agingwellJigsaw Health | Trusted supplements. “It’s fun to feel good.” | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4ks3Y0OBerkeley Life | Optimize nitric oxide levels | Purchase your starter kit at a 15% discount | Use the promo code: AGINGWELL15 | https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/c/6475525/3226696/31118Oxford Healthspan | Primeadine®, a plant-derived spermidine supplement | 10% off code: AGINGWELL | https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/AGINGWELLKneeMo® | A smart device programmed to reduce your knee pain and keep you moving. | Click the following link and use the discount code AGINGWELL15 for 15% off: https://thekneemo.com/ref/agingwellProlon | The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a revolutionary five-day nutrition program scientifically formulated to mimic the effects of a prolonged water fast while still allowing nourishment - supporting the benefits of fasting without the challenges and risks that come from water-only fasts. | For the best available discount always use this link: https://prolonlife.com/theagingwellpodcastFusionary Formulas | Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with Western science for optimal health support. | 15% off Code: AGINGWELL | https://fusionaryformulas.com?sca_ref=9678325.IHg5xYhdOzzke8ZrDr Lewis Nutrition | Fight neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with Daily Brain Care by Dr Lewis Nutrition—a proven daily formula designed to protect and restore brain function. | 10% off code: AGINGWELL or use the link: https://drlewisnutrition.com/AGINGWELL