EP 31 Aging Sideways: A Guide to Overcoming Ageist Stereotypes

“See yourself as a complete human being who happens to be aging, rather than as a person whose identity is consumed by the fact that you're getting older.”Welcome back to another inspiring episode featuring Jeanette Leardi, a social gerontologist, community educator, and aging wellness leader in the pro aging community who has a deep passion for older adult empowerment.At 72, Jeanette just published Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older where she draws on groundbreaking research, expert opinions, and personal experiences to bust the many false stereotypes about age and provides you with surprising, refreshing, “sideways” approaches for embracing getting older as well as for changing the minds of others in your life in the hope that all of us can transform our society into a truly pro-aging one –– now and for generations to come.Jeanette explains the role of a social gerontologist, recounts her personal journey into the field inspired by caregiving for her parents, and provides strategies for aging positively. The conversation covers the brain's adaptability as we age, the value of intergenerational collaboration, and the importance of reframing how society views aging. Jeanette also discusses the benefits of claiming one's age proudly and offers practical advice for combating ageism through personal stories, humor, and redefining societal perceptions.Join us as we explore the changing dynamics of our aging population, the importance of psychological resilience, and the need for respectful communication towards older adults. It's a conversation that promises to change the way you view aging and inspire you to champion the contributions of older generations. Visit https://www.jeanetteleardi.com to learn more about Jeanette and to purchase a copy of her book, Aging Sideways.If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.Looking for a few simple ways to age well? Here are two products I use and genuinely recommend:🚶‍♀️ Favorite Walking Pad – I use it almost every day while watching my favorite shows. It's quiet, easy to store, and makes getting more steps simple and enjoyable.🥤 Favorite Protein Powder – Getting enough protein becomes even more important as we age. This is my go-to because it's easy to digest, delivers 25g of protein per serving, and supports healthy muscles and bones.Waving from Boston – cheers!Ande ♥CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/ https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourageSPONSORSHIPIf you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact throug...